BRICS: Turkey to Join Alliance at 2024 Summit?
With all eyes on the upcoming expansion of BRICS, Turkey has emerged as a candidate to join the alliance at its upcoming 2024 summit. Indeed, the country could be part of the collective’s second expansion initiative in as many years, following reports of its interest in joining the bloc. According to a Reuters report, Russia has welcomed the country’s interest in joining the alliance. Moreover, Moscow’s spokesperson for the BRICS bloc, Dmitry Peskov, noted that such a matter would be “on the agenda” for the upcoming summit that will take place in October.
Last year, the BRICS bloc initiated one of the most important geopolitical developments in some time. Specifically, the growing collective added four countries to its growing alliance through a highly-anticipated expansion plan. Moreover, it was the first time the bloc had added a member since South Africa joined in 2001. That expansion plan has shown no signs of slowing down, as the collective is expected to repeat the practice this year. Indeed, BRICS could welcome Turkey as one of its newest expansion nations at its impending 2024 annual summit.
Russia has reportedly expressed its welcoming demeanor to the country after Turkey expressed its interest. Furthermore, the nation would join Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as key parts of the expanded BRICS alliance. Not only does Russia’s endorsement increase the likelihood, but so does a recent trip from Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. Specifically, Fidan visited Beijing for the first time since 2012. Subsequently, when asked about joining, Fidan said, “We would like to, of course, why would we not?”
Ultimately, that perspective seemed to echo the growing influence of the alliance. Moreover, Turkey could now be in the lead regarding countries seeking to be included in the expansion. However, it is still expected that several other nations will be included in the upcoming expansion plan.