Turkey Reaffirms BRICS Membership Ambitions Amid Transatlantic Tensions
Countries
Cooperation areas
Source: The Star | Original Published At: 2026-02-09 15:31:00 UTC
Key Points
- Turkey officially applied for BRICS membership in 2024 and continues pursuing full participation despite NATO alignment concerns.
- Ambassador emphasizes Turkey's role as a bridge between Asia and Europe, with strategic importance in Belt and Road Initiative and Middle Corridor projects.
- China-Turkey cooperation includes trade (nearing $50 billion annually), security dialogue, and infrastructure investments in transport, energy, and technology.
- Turkey offers 'partner country' status to BRICS while maintaining Huawei participation and avoiding bans on Chinese tech.
- Diplomatic priorities include reciprocal visa arrangements, academic exchanges, and positioning Turkey as a gateway for Chinese investment into adjacent markets.