BRICS offers Turkey partner country status, Turkish minister Omer Bolat confirms

Turkey has been extended an offer to become a “partner country” within the BRICS group, Trade Minister Omer Bolat confirmed on Wednesday, as Ankara seeks to strengthen its ties with emerging economies while balancing its longstanding relationships with the West.

In a TVNet interview, Bolat outlined the significance of the offer: “This (status) is the transition process in the organizational structure of BRICS.” His comments followed Turkey’s growing interest in joining the BRICS bloc, which includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, and others.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who attended a BRICS summit in Kazan last month, has emphasized that potential membership would enhance Turkey’s economic collaborations without diminishing its NATO ties. Turkish officials have stressed that this new partnership with BRICS would not replace Turkey’s Western alliances.

Also Read: CIA official charged with leaking Israeli strike plans on Iran

Though Bolat did not confirm whether Turkey had accepted the proposal, sources within Erdogan’s AK Party noted that while the partner status was discussed, it falls short of Turkey’s aspirations for full membership. The BRICS group, in its October 23 declaration, introduced the “partner country” category as a precursor to deeper integration.

This move signals Turkey’s strategic balancing act as it navigates the complex geopolitics of both East and West.