Opportunities and Challenges of Participation in BRICS for Türkiye
The “BRIC” group was established in 2006 to have a say in international issues under the leadership of Brazil, Russia, India, and China. With the inclusion of South Africa in 2011, this group was named “BRICS.” As of January 1, 2024, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates have officially become “BRICS” members. It is not an exception that Azerbaijan will become a member of this group in the near future. After the last accession, the name “BRICS” was renewed as “BRICS+”¹.
Presented as an alternative to the Western-centered global world order, BRICS, which covers 40% of the world population (3.6 billion), 40 million square kilometers of the planet, and 30% of the global economy, has become a reality that cannot be ignored².
The development of communication lines, the introduction of mutually preferential taxes and tariffs between member countries, and the creation of a favorable environment for investments have been among the main objectives of this bloc. It is not excluded that BRICS, whose founding goal is to create an economic bloc, has political interests for the future².
Turkey’s Participation in BRICS and Opportunities
In recent statements to the press, his speech in which he described BRICS as a complementary platform rather than an alternative has greatly increased the chances that Turkey’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hakan Fidan, will take part in the bloc. Another point emphasized by the Minister was that the negative policies of the European Union contributed to the strengthening of Turkey’s relations with these organizations³.
One of the important steps taken by BRICS in the world was the creation of the New Development Bank, whose headquarters will be located in Shanghai. The fact that Turkey will benefit from the funds offered by the bank in terms of energy, digitalization, and technology if it becomes a member shows that certain leaps can be achieved in these areas. Moreover, Turkey may have a chance to escape the hegemony of the IMF and the World Bank⁴.
In terms of the geopolitical importance of BRICS, Turkey’s location at the critical intersection of Europe, North Africa, Asia, and the Middle East indicates that the strategic importance of this region will increase⁵.
If BRICS membership is realized, Turkey will have greater access to a large and dynamic economic bloc that includes some of the world’s largest emerging markets, which will have very positive economic consequences for Turkish exporters⁵.
Challenges of BRICS Accession for Turkey
We should not forget that, although it is stated that the purpose of establishment is economic reasons, it is seen that BRICS member countries expect political benefits from this union. As a country that has adopted the economic, political, and social standards of the EU, Turkey’s inclusion in this bloc shows that it will experience serious problems in its EU membership in the future. The inclusion of NATO member Turkey in a bloc with Russia may cause serious problems, especially if you consider the tension between NATO and Russia due to the Ukraine war⁶.
Another issue is that many of the BRICS member countries, especially Russia, are subjected to serious sanctions by the West. If Turkey were to join these organizations, it could face severe economic sanctions from the West. If sanctions are added to the inflation problem that today’s Turkey is experiencing, it can seriously put this country in a difficult situation⁷.
Another issue that is likely to put Turkey in a difficult situation is the occasional diplomatic disagreements among the member states. Turkey may be ignored in the struggle for economic dominance between China, India, and Russia, and entering into economic competition with these states would wear Turkey down.
Strategic Assessment
Another remarkable point is that India, China, and South Africa, which are members of BRIC, have been guided under the influence of British politics for many years. The fact that Jim O’Neill, the father of the idea of this organization, has held important political positions in the UK, and that he was made a Baron (the right to serve in the chamber of lords for life) by the UK after he came up with this idea (BRIC), causes us to have different thoughts about a group whose aim of establishment is to end the western hegemony.
Since the 2014 invasion of Crimea, Turkey has entered into a significant level of cooperation with Ukraine, especially in the field of defense industry. Especially after Russia’s attack on Ukrainian territory, joint projects in areas such as tank engine and helicopter production, as well as the support of aerial vehicles (İHA) and armed unmanned aerial vehicles (SİHA) to Ukraine has been a matter that cannot be ignored⁸.
According to the sources available in the Ukrainian war, the loss of thirty percent of Russia’s Black Sea fleet has strengthened the possibility of Turkey becoming the sole leading power here (Cumhuriyet 2024, March 11). In addition to all these, the delivery of Ukrainian soldiers captured in Azov and held in Turkey to Ukraine after Zelenski’s visit caused Russia, one of the iron heads of BRIC, to take a stand against Turkey⁹.
The main source of Turkey’s pretense of interest in BRICS+ membership has been caused by the diplomatic steps mentioned above. Because Russia, which has been confronted on many issues, especially the Ukraine war, needs to be satisfied to some extent. Especially due to the approaching winter, Turkey’s problems with Russia, one of the most important countries from which Turkey buys gas, may cause serious heating problems in the country. Turkey, which keeps its relations with Russia close for this reason, knows that India will veto it despite its favorable attitude towards BRICS. In other words, it is actually making a diplomatic bluff against Russia. There is no other explanation for NATO member Turkey’s rapprochement with Russia and its interest in BRICS+ other than saying that Turkey is playing the hare and the hound. Turkey is only acting strategically and trying to balance between the powers.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Turkey’s membership in the BRICS poses both potential opportunities and risks. For Turkey to be successful in this process, it should adopt a balanced approach to international relations, manage its economic cooperation effectively, and take strategic steps to strengthen its role in BRICS. In this context, fully assessing the long-term implications of BRICS membership and engaging in a continuous strategic planning process will help Turkey maximize the benefits of this global organization.
Bibliography
1. BBC Turkish. (2024, January 2). BRICS: Why is the grouping that Turkey has expressed interest in important and what is its purpose? https://www.bbc.com/turkce/articles/cyxvglg00dxo
2. Baku Research Institute. (2024, September 9). New alliances, BRICS and Azerbaijan. https://bakuresearchinstitute.org/yeni-ittifaqlar-brics-ve-azerbaycan/?fbclid=IwY2xjawFRiLVleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHb1Gab-8en4Pe2axSJhd8erWm5dVd9oUaoz-I-rZAUkxWsBixU7JHVLPVA_aem_frA1qA_UuYXbbJxiyyoJkQ
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7.BBC Turkish.(2023, July 8). What does Turkey’s strong support for Ukraine mean?, https://www.bbc.com/turkce/articles/czv1lrw41jjo
8.Cumhuriyet newspaper .( 2024 , March 11). Russia suffers heavy losses in the Black Sea… How did Ukraine achieve this? https://www.cumhuriyet.com.tr/dunya/rusya-karadenizde-agir-kayiplar-veriyor-ukrayna-bunu-nasil-basardi-2183601
9. Sputnik newspaper. (2023, August 8). Kremlin: Return of ‘Azov’ ringleaders from Turkey to Ukraine was a violation of agreements, https://anlatilaninotesi.com.tr/20230708/kremlin-azov-elebaslarinin-turkiyeden-ukraynaya-donusu-anlasmalarin-ihlali-oldu-1073317033.html
