Turkey has formally applied to join the group of emerging market economies known as BRICS, reports “Bloomberg”, quoted by Nova TV.
The country aims to increase its global influence and establish new international ties, beyond its traditional allies in the West, informed sources share.
Sources, who prefer to remain anonymous, say that the administration of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan sees as a priority the shift of the geopolitical center of gravity from developed economies to emerging markets. Turkey's application to join BRICS was submitted several months ago, mainly due to frustration with the lack of progress in EU membership negotiations.
Official sources from Turkey's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Presidency have not yet commented on the subject.
BRICS is an abbreviation composed of the first letters of the member states - Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. At the beginning of the year, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Ethiopia and Egypt joined the group. Saudi Arabia has also received an invitation but has not yet become a member.
The possibility of further BRICS expansion may be discussed at the summit in Kazan, Russia, which will be held between October 22 and 24.