Turkey has requested to join BRICS, the team of emerging-market markets, in a significant political move that may have profound effects on the global system of alliances, as a sign of its desire to expand its partnerships beyond the West.
The BRICS gathering, named after Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, comprises some of the country’s largest economy. Earlier this year, it welcomed four fresh people: Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Ethiopia and Egypt.
Saudi Arabia has been invited to join, but the formal approach has not yet begun. The BRICS represent a major change in global power relationships, often seen as an alternative to Western-led organizations like the EU, G7, and NATO.
As the center of the world economy shifts away from the West, Ankara’s selection may serve as a strategy to improve ties with non-Western nations, but it also has to do with pursuing more trade with BRICS members.
Turkey’s application was made public prior to the BRICS mountain, which will take place on October 22. Its inclusion in NATO has broader relevance. If accepted, Turkey would be the first NATO part of BRICS.
This does not, however, mean that Turkey is completely rejecting the West. Turkey has strong administrative relations to the West. At most, this walk signals Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s objective to enhance the government’s freedom in its international relations.
Erdogan stated on September 1 that this action demonstrates Ankara’s desire to “become a powerful, rich, prominent, and powerful state if it strengthens its relations with the East and the West at the same time.”
Turkey’s understanding into the party may be discussed during the forthcoming 16th BRICS conference in Kazan, Russia. Different nations are preparing to meet, along with Malaysia, Thailand, and Azerbaijan.
Between East and West
Turkey’s attempt to balance the East and West is based on its plans since the end of the Cold War, which is in line with its geographic location, which is between Europe and Asia.
This method has been central to Turkey’s complex, at times competing, approach to international relationships and remains essential in an increasingly complex world. All governments have had to reevaluate their international policies as a result of the transition from a multipolar world, which is based on the notion that there are more earth capabilities.
Turkey’s eagerness to meet the BRICS group is unlikely to represent a break from its European allies because of its long-standing commitment to NATO. Turkey’s economic, political, and military ties with Russia and China have grown since 2016, and this trend is evident in its most recent admission to the BRICS team.
There is no pressing reason for the West to be alarmed about Turkey making agreements to Russia or acting independently of NATO, according to some experts in Turkey foreign policy.
There are two subsidies driving Turkey’s program. The first is Turkey’s desire to improve its strategic autonomy in international policy, according to Sinan Ulgen, chairman of the Istanbul-based Centre for Economic and Foreign Policy Studies, which basically involves strengthening relations with non-Western power like Russia and China in a bid to compromise the relationship with the West.
The second is the accumulated annoyances over the connection with the West. For instance, the EU was unable to actually make a decision regarding the start of negotiations regarding the revision of its business agreement with Turkey, which dates back to 1996.
Control of the Black Sea
Turkey has been interested in joining the BRICS class since 2018. Putin, during a meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan in Moscow in June this year, welcomed Ankara’s curiosity and promised that Moscow” will aid this desire to be together with the states of this alliance]Brics ], to be together, closer, to resolve typical issues”.
Russia has made more efforts to win the help of more nations since the conflict in Ukraine. Turkey’s geopolitical area and its power of the Black Sea straits, a crucial business way for both Ukraine and Russia, are of particular value in this effort.
Turkey has been a key player in the Ukraine conflict, and the Black Sea has allowed Ukraine to remain using the lakes as a result of its association, which has stymied Russia’s efforts to impose full control over the waters.
The Greek Islands ‘ seafaring transportation is governed by the Montreux Convention. The convention makes distinctions between the past and the past, including Russia and Ukraine, while also acknowledging the advantages of the former.
Erdogan stated in March 2022 that the agreement allows Turkey to impose restrictions on the movement of naval vessels belonging to the celebrations at war. Putin may be hoping that he can inspire Turkey to give him more liberty because Turkey is seen as a Brics supporter. Russia’s current inability to control the Black Sea and its cargo ships severely limits its capacity to stifle Ukraine’s business.
Turkey anticipates that becoming a member of the BRICS will strengthen its political position and strengthen its economic sway, particularly in non-western marketplaces. The most important thing is that it uses its political position to influence international affairs and pursue a more balanced and varied foreign policy.
It is obvious that Turkey wants to keep its ties to the West, but it also needs the freedom to collaborate with another countries. It is very unlikely that this will significantly alter Turkey’s relations to European nations. However, it might produce other NATO members to be concerned about how much they can count on Turkey in the future.
Bulent Gokay is professor of international relationships, Keele University
The Conversation has republished this essay under a Creative Commons license. Read the original post.