Turkey wants to join BRICS, an economic alliance of developing countries led by Russia. Ankara’s intentions were commented on by European Commission spokesman Peter Stano, who, although he sees no obstacles, claims that Turkey as an EU candidate country is subject to certain limitations.
Peter Stano
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BRICS is a political and economic agreement originally concluded in 2009 by Brazil, India, Russia and China and expanded this year to include Ethiopia, Iran, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates. A few months ago, Turkey also filed an official application to join the group, as reported by local media, which wants to establish relations with new partners and is already tired of the prolonged accession process with the European Union.
Ankara’s desire to join BRICS was commented on Tuesday during a briefing by the European Commission spokesman, who stressed that Turkey – like any other country – has the right to decide what is best for it. Peter Stano reminded, however, that when it comes to relations with the European Union, Turkey is still a candidate country, which means “certain limitations” for it.
Asked by journalists whether the “limitations” related to Turkey’s EU candidacy do not exclude the country’s membership in BRICS, the EC spokesman said that the EU expects all candidate countries, not only Turkey, to unambiguously support EU values and respect the obligations arising from relevant trade agreements and consistent with the common EU security policy.
These are significant signals (about) common values and interests and strategic orientation of candidate countries. At the time of accession to the EU, candidate countries must adapt everything, including trade agreements, to the standards and principles of the Union, Stano said.
As he emphasized, the EU and Turkey are currently connected by, among other things, a customs union and very good trade regulations, which are beneficial for Ankara. One very important thing should be added: BRICS and the EU are completely different organizations, both in terms of goals and structure, as well as organizational principles – emphasized the spokesman.
Since 1963, Turkey has had the status of an associate member of the European Economic Community, and applied for membership in 1987. In 1999, it was officially recognized as an EU candidate, but negotiations did not begin until 2005.
So far, progress in the talks has been slow: 16 of 35 negotiation chapters have been opened, and only one has been concluded. After the failed coup in Turkey in July 2016 and the government’s repression in Ankara, negotiations were frozen. No new negotiation chapter has been opened since.
In December 2016, the European Commission proposed updating the existing customs agreement with Turkey and expanding trade relations. The European Union is by far Turkey’s largest export market, while Turkey is the EU’s fifth largest trading partner – both in terms of imports and exports.
In late August, Azerbaijan submitted an application to join the BRICS bloc. Saudi Arabia, which has been invited, as well as Malaysia and Thailand, are also considering joining the group. Further expansion of BRICS may be discussed during the group’s summit, scheduled for October 22-24 in Russia.
Türkiye turns east and applies to join BRICS
