Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, speaking at the BRICS summit in Johannesburg, said that Turkey is ready to join the group, and even proposed a new name - BRICST.
Vestnik Kavkaza asked the experts Andrei Baklanov and Orhan Gafarli why Ankara is seeking to join BRICS, what political and economic bonuses it expects from the group and what it can give itself.
The deputy head of the Council of the Russian Diplomats Association, Andrey Baklanov, Turkey's desire to join BRICS reflects a serious strengthening of the organization's positions, its increased authority. "I believe that Turkey's intentions to join the BRICS activities are symbolic, because it reflects disappointment in the model of Euro-Atlantic global domination. The US, European countries are accustomed to being legislators of political, economic, financial fashion around the world. But over the last 15-20 years these conditions of the game increasingly oppose themselves to the interests of other countries. This has caused the need to form alternative organizations, including SCO and BRICS, which seek to return moral and ethical bases to politics," the expert explained.
"The creation of BRICS, SCO and other alternative organizations was a forced measure, because under the dictation of the Euro-Atlantic leaders, modern life has become extremely dangerous. The current trend, involving a number of appeals about accession, both in terms of observers and membership in SCO and BRICS, is a reflection of very serious processes taking place on the world stage. And I think they are the future," the deputy head of the Council of the Russian Diplomats Association stressed.
"Erdogan, as an exceptionally experienced politician, sees this trend and wants to join it. Especially since he would like to live in a situation when no one would impose his will on Turkey from outside, I think that the significance of these processes is great, and there can be unexpected consequences, particularly in Ukraine, where ordinary people and politicians realize that they have made a wrong bet. I believe that these phenomena can affect a wide variety of countries and international organizations. Therefore, these are very important and positive statements," Andrei Baklanov concluded.
Political scientist Orhan Gafarli, in turn, drew attention to the fact that Turkey's desire to join BRICS fits into the country's concept of a multi-vector foreign policy.
"Turkey has been long trying to pursue a multi-vector foreign policy, which requires cooperation with the West, with the East, with all international economic and political organizations. Since the world order's model is changing from unipolar to multipolar, Turkey wants to develop relations with all world organizations. BRICS is considered one of such platforms where global players discuss issues of regional and international security, therefore it is quite logical that Turkey seeks to play its role there, as well as in G20, in SCO, which the country also wants to join," the expert explained.
He also shared his opinion about what bonuses for Turkey is expected by Recep Tayyip Erdogan from membership in the BRICS. "Everything depends on the organization's further development. If security issues are discussed there, Turkey will be ready to be a part of this dialogue, but the Turkish side is also ready for economic cooperation. In particular, Turkey recently granted a $3 billion loan to China. Turkey also has very good relations with Russia, Ankara is developing relations with the countries of South America and Africa, so Turkey expects full cooperation from BRICS," Orhan Gafarli said.
In addition, he explained what Turkey can offer BRICS in terms of cooperation. "I think it is primarily security and economic issues, for example, the development of the Silk Road. Turkey is an important player in the Middle East, and it can work in BRICS in this context as well," the political scientist summed up.
