Does BRICS Need Türkiye?

Türkiye faces major challenges with some BRICS member states, specifically Russia and Iran, as both countries insist on the need for Turkish forces to withdraw from Syria. They also reject Ankara’s support for the Syrian opposition. Despite Russia’s initial support for a Turkish-Syrian rapprochement, this support has recently stopped. Bashar Al-Jaafari, Ambassador of Syria to…

Written by

Faizul Haque

Published on

October 29, 2024

Amidst regional and international conflicts in the Middle East, Russia succeeded in organising the BRICS summit, which is intended to be an alternative to the G7 economic group. It is also meant to establish the multipolar world which Russia and China seriously aspire to, with the aim of ending American hegemony, whether in economic terms or in other areas of the strategic and geopolitical conflict which still favours the West.

The number of participants in this summit was bigger than previous summits. This indicates that BRICS is making strides forward.

Türkiye is among these countries. Its President, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has said that participation in these assemblies (BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation) is an economic and strategic opportunity for his country. He has stressed that this participation does not mean abandoning NATO. He also explained that what distinguishes Türkiye from other countries seeking to join the BRICS group is its membership in NATO and the Customs Union Agreement with the European Union. But there are major and contradictory challenges being faced by Türkiye if it wants to move forward on the path to joining BRICS.

Türkiye faces major challenges with some BRICS member states, specifically Russia and Iran, as both countries insist on the need for Turkish forces to withdraw from Syria. They also reject Ankara’s support for the Syrian opposition. Despite Russia’s initial support for a Turkish-Syrian rapprochement, this support has recently stopped. Bashar Al-Jaafari, Ambassador of Syria to Russia, stated from Moscow that rapprochement with Türkiye should begin with its acceptance of the withdrawal condition according to a mechanism agreed upon by both parties.

In addition, the Syrian regime has also announced its intention to submit an application to join the BRICS group, a step which reflects its efforts to impose recognition of its legitimacy. If successful, the Syrian regime’s position may become stronger in negotiations with Türkiye, which also aspires to join the group.

Türkiye’s trade relations are largely focused on the West, as trade, economics, politics, and even military cooperation with the European Union are intertwined. Türkiye realises the importance of maintaining these relations, as the European Union represents about 60% of its total trade. At the same time, BRICS and the US-led Western alliance represent two opposing camps in major geopolitical and economic conflicts. Türkiye, which has been counted for decades as part of the Western alliance, is not easy, or even possible, to be abandoned.

Ankara may believe that it will not face Western sanctions in the short term if it becomes a member of BRICS. But if BRICS develops into an institutional bloc with unified customs procedures, it will become difficult for Türkiye to deal with two customs unions in two opposing camps. Certainly, BRICS will not accept Türkiye without making some concessions, as bartering is an integral part of the world of politics.

In the modern world, economics cannot be separated from politics. Here we can ask: What will Türkiye offer in exchange for joining BRICS? This is despite Türkiye’s political, geographical and military significance cannot be denied. But this does not mean that Türkiye does not have weak points that can be pressured.

Türkiye is undoubtedly a strong regional player, and has a significant political and economic influence in the region. But does BRICS really need it?

Türkiye’s accession will enhance BRICS’s international standing and increase its geographical and strategic diversity, particularly given Türkiye’s strategic location as a bridge between Europe and Asia. [by Firas Ridwan Oglu in Syria TV]

 

Compiled and translated by Faizul Haque