Turkey's BRICS offer: Economic growth or NATO tension?

According to the Business Insider portal, Turkish Trade Minister Omer Bolat confirmed that Turkey received an offer to become a partner country from the BRICS group. BRICS, an alliance that includes Brazil, China, India, Russia, and South Africa, is expanding its influence by incorporating new countries like Egypt and Iran.

The "partner" status does not mean full membership but is a step towards full integration, allowing participation in the group's activities despite not fully meeting the formal requirements. Turkey has already taken formal actions in this regard, and President Erdogan participated in the summit, emphasizing that BRICS represents an economic cooperation opportunity, not an alternative to NATO.

Turkey's Foreign Minister, Hakan Fidan, cited frustration with the lack of progress in talks with the EU as the reason for his country's interest in BRICS. He stated that if integration with the EU concluded in membership, Ankara would not seek an alternative like BRICS.

BRICS is gradually expanding, and countries like Belarus and Indonesia already have partner status. Turkey views BRICS as an opportunity for economic growth, which could affect its relations with the West. However, cooperation with BRICS is not seen as a replacement for NATO.

BRICS, initially comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, is expanding its reach, aiming to strengthen its position on the international stage. Although it faces internal divisions, the group represents about 42 percent of the world's population and 24 percent of global economic output.