President Tayyip Erdogan stated on Wednesday that Turkey will continue to strengthen its relations with the East, including the BRICS group of nations and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), despite ongoing interactions with the West. As a NATO member, Turkey has recently expressed interest in joining the BRICS and SCO, both of which include China and Russia. This has raised concerns in the US and Europe, fearing that Turkey might be shifting away from its traditionally Western geopolitical stance, despite Ankara's denials.
During an event in Ankara, Erdogan dismissed the notion of an 'axis shift' as unfounded, but acknowledged that Turkey must align itself with emerging 'centres of power' in the realms of economy, production, and technology. He emphasized the importance of remaining open to opportunities with all entities and actors.
Erdogan explained, 'This approach is the driving force behind our country's desire to broaden the scope of dialogue with all of them, from the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation to BRICS and ASEAN.' He further clarified, 'Our focus remains on the West, but this does not imply that we will neglect the East or fail to enhance our ties with the East.'
BRICS, which includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Ethiopia, Iran, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates, is particularly sought after by China and Russia as they aim to challenge Western economic dominance. The SCO, a security, political, and economic alliance established by Moscow, Beijing, and Central Asian states in 2001, serves as a counterbalance to Western alliances.
