Turkey wants to join BRICS, an economic alliance of developing countries led by Russia. Ankara’s intentions were commented on by European Commission spokesman Peter Stano, who, although he sees no obstacles, claims that Turkey as an EU candidate country is subject to certain limitations.
Peter Stano
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BRICS is a political and economic agreement originally concluded in 2009 by Brazil, India, Russia and China and expanded this year to include Ethiopia, Iran, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates. A few months ago, Turkey also filed an official application to join the group, as reported by local media, which wants to establish relations with new partners and is already tired of the prolonged accession process with the European Union.
Ankara’s desire to join BRICS was commented on Tuesday during a briefing by the European Commission spokesman, who stressed that Turkey – like any other country – has the right to decide what is best for it. Peter Stano reminded, however, that when it comes to relations with the European Union, Turkey is still a candidate country, which means “certain limitations” for it.
Asked by journalists whether the “limitations” related to Turkey’s EU candidacy do not exclude the country’s membership in BRICS, the EC spokesman said that the EU expects all candidate countries, not only Turkey, to unambiguously support EU values and respect the obligations arising from relevant trade agreements and consistent with the common EU security policy.
These are significant signals (about) common values and interests and strategic orientation of candidate countries. At the time of accession to the EU, candidate countries must adapt everything, including trade agreements, to the standards and principles of the Union, Stano said.
As he emphasized, the EU and Turkey are currently connected by, among other things, a customs union and very good trade regulations, which are beneficial for Ankara. One very important thing should be added: BRICS and the EU are completely different organizations, both in terms of goals and structure, as well as organizational principles – emphasized the spokesman.
Since 1963, Turkey has had the status of an associate member of the European Economic Community, and applied for membership in 1987. In 1999, it was officially recognized as an EU candidate, but negotiations did not begin until 2005.
So far, progress in the talks has been slow: 16 of 35 negotiation chapters have been opened, and only one has been concluded. After the failed coup in Turkey in July 2016 and the government’s repression in Ankara, negotiations were frozen. No new negotiation chapter has been opened since.
In December 2016, the European Commission proposed updating the existing customs agreement with Turkey and expanding trade relations. The European Union is by far Turkey’s largest export market, while Turkey is the EU’s fifth largest trading partner – both in terms of imports and exports.
In late August, Azerbaijan submitted an application to join the BRICS bloc. Saudi Arabia, which has been invited, as well as Malaysia and Thailand, are also considering joining the group. Further expansion of BRICS may be discussed during the group’s summit, scheduled for October 22-24 in Russia.
Türkiye turns east and applies to join BRICS
Turkey’s Aspirations to Join BRICS: A Balance Between East and West
In recent years, Turkey has expressed a keen interest in joining BRICS—an economic and political alliance originally established in 2009, comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and more recently expanded to include Ethiopia, Iran, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates. This pursuit has drawn varied reactions, including that of the European Commission, which underscores the complexities involved given Turkey’s status as a candidate for European Union (EU) membership.
Understanding BRICS: An Overview
Table of Contents
BRICS is not just an economic grouping; it represents a collaborative effort among emerging economies to enhance their influence in international affairs. The bloc seeks to provide an alternative perspective to Western-led institutions, focusing on inclusive development and international cooperation. Turkey’s application to join this alliance signifies a shift in its diplomatic aspirations, potentially moving away from its long-standing EU accession talks, which have faced numerous hurdles over the past decades.
Turkey’s Intentions and Current Status
Turkey officially filed its application to join BRICS, signaling its desire to diversify its international partnerships. As Turkey navigates its geopolitical landscape, the prolonged EU accession process has become a point of frustration. Since its bid for EU membership began in 1987, Turkey has made limited progress. Currently, of the 35 negotiation chapters, only 16 have been opened, and just one chapter has been concluded. The aftermath of the 2016 coup attempt further complicated relations, resulting in negotiations being effectively frozen.
Peter Stano, spokesman for the European Commission, has commented on Turkey’s aspirations, acknowledging that, like any country, Turkey has the sovereign right to pursue alliances that it deems beneficial. However, he also reminded that as a candidate for EU membership, Turkey is subject to specific limitations. Stano emphasized that candidate countries must align with EU values and obligations, underlining the necessity for strategic coherence with EU policies.
The Intersection of EU Membership Aspirations and BRICS
Stano’s remarks shed light on the delicate balance Turkey must strike between adhering to EU standards and pursuing membership in BRICS. While Turkey’s ambition to join the BRICS alliance highlights its desire to forge new economic ties, it raises questions about its commitments to the EU. The customs union between Turkey and the EU has fostered positive trade relations. However, diverging significantly from EU principles could strain these ties.
Key Considerations for Turkey:
- Economic Benefits:
– By joining BRICS, Turkey hopes to leverage trade relationships with emerging markets, potentially providing new economic opportunities and avenues for growth.
- Political Realignment:
– Turkey’s willingness to embrace BRICS may represent a strategic pivot towards a multipolar world, effectively reducing its dependency on Western alliances amid ongoing tensions with the EU.
- EU Membership Reality:
– The complexity of Turkey’s aspirations lies in its ambiguous status with the EU; any shift towards BRICS could challenge the conditions of EU candidacy and the custom union agreements currently in place.
- Strategic Interests:
– In a world where geopolitical dynamics are rapidly changing, Turkey’s inclusion in BRICS could enhance its influence on the global stage, providing alternative routes for diplomacy and economic collaboration.
Conclusion: A Fork in the Road
Turkey’s desire to join BRICS emerges during a critical juncture in its foreign policy. As Ankara seeks to boost its economic resilience and diplomatic clout through BRICS, the EU’s expectations may serve as a significant counterbalance. The response from the European Commission indicates that while Turkey’s aspirations are valid, they must be approached with an understanding of the obligations that come with EU candidacy.
In the coming years, Turkey’s path may further define its identity on the global stage. Will it recalibrate its relationship with the EU, or will it fully embrace the emerging economies within BRICS? The answers to these questions will shape not only Turkey’s future but also its role in the rapidly evolving geopolitical landscape.
