Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said Turkey is seeking to join BRICS nations as part of efforts to strengthen its economy after decades of unsuccessful attempts to gain membership in the European Union.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is “keen to increase Turkey’s economic options”, and the EU was “our first choice,” Fidan told Bloomberg TV in an interview on Friday.
“If we cannot be part of the EU, then other alternatives will always be on the table.”
The minister’s remarks underscore Turkey’s ongoing search for economic alliances that could serve as an alternative to the EU.
Fidan stressed that Turkey has not entirely abandoned hope of joining the bloc and reiterated Ankara’s long-standing complaint that cultural differences are the main reason for its stalled accession.
The EU has said Turkey’s membership is blocked due to concerns over human rights and democratic standards.
Turkey has submitted a formal bid to join BRICS,
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