By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News

ISTANBUL/MOSCOW (Worthy News) – NATO military alliance member Turkey has requested to join the BRICS bloc of major emerging market nations despite concerns it will move away from the West amid significant global security challenges.

Several sources confirmed Turkey’s move, including the spokesman of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s ruling party, Worthy News established Thursday.

“Our president has many times stated that we want to become a BRICS member… The process is now under way,” said Omer Celik, on behalf of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP).

Separately, Yuri Ushakov, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s foreign affairs aide, told reporters that Turkey’s application “for full membership” in the bloc that Russia this year chairs will be considered.

The BRICS alliance was founded in 2006 by Brazil, Russia, India, and China. South Africa joined in 2010 as Moscow and Beijing sought to counter the West’s global influence.

BRICS recently expanded to include Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, and the United Arab Emirates. Saudi Arabia has also said it’s considering joining, and Azerbaijan and Malaysia have formally applied.

Ahead of his country’s BRICS membership application, which was due to be approved soon, President Erdogan said Turkey also wants to be a partner in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).

POLICY DIFFERENCES

The SCO, a security, political, and economic club launched in 2001 by Russia, China, and Central Asian states, was established as a counterweight to Western alliances.

Analysts say Turkey’s decisions come after differences with the U.S. and European Union over issues ranging from Israel, Russia, migration, security, and economic policies to its treatment of the Kurdish minority and critical thinkers.

On Israel, for instance, Turkish President Erdogan has said NATO can’t continue its partnership with the Israeli administration, angering Washington and other Western capitals.

However, in a recent interview monitored by Worthy News, Turkish Defence Minister Yasar Guler stressed that Turkey’s membership in NATO does not prevent it from developing relations with the other blocs.

Turkey has been frustrated by being sanctioned by the United States and removed from the F-35 fighter jet program in 2019 due to its acquisition of Russian S-400 defenses.

Yet since then, Ankara has been working to procure 40 Block-70 F-16 fighter jets and 79 modernization kits from Washington.

The deal was approved after Turkey blessed Sweden’s NATO membership bid after intense talks.

JETS ACQUISITION

Guler said the acquisition of the jets underscored Turkey’s ongoing commitment toward NATO. “We are pleased with the accord reached on the procurement of the F-16s and modernization, and we hope the project will be completed without a problem until the last jet is delivered,” he stressed.

“Apart from that, our priority is to fulfill our responsibilities to NATO as an important ally and to strengthen the solidarity with our allies. Our focus should be that NATO is prepared, determined, and strong,” Guler added.

Yet Turkey’s moves toward BRICS and perhaps SCO did little to ease tensions as Ankara seeks to expand its geopolitical footprint.

Erdogan said he would invite Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to discuss normalizing ties, which Ankara severed after the 2011 Syrian war.

Assad has said talks could only happen if they focus on core issues, including the withdrawal of Turkish forces from the north of Syria.

In a sign of Turkey’s growing influence, Guler said the neighbors could meet at a ministerial level again “if suitable conditions are created” as part of what is viewed as Ankara’s regional charm offensive launched in 2020.

Copyright 1999-2024 Worthy News. This article was originally published on Worthy News and was reproduced with permission.

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