Jul 08, 2025
Turknews.com
Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan confirmed Türkiye’s intent to remain closely engaged with BRICS following the group’s 17th summit in Rio de Janeiro. While Ankara’s request for full membership remains unresolved, Fidan emphasized that Türkiye sees value in BRICS as a platform for promoting international reform, multilateral diplomacy, and responses to crises such as the wars in Gaza and Ukraine.
Türkiye had previously expressed interest in joining BRICS, citing frustration with stalled EU accession talks. BRICS, which recently expanded to include new partner countries such as Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Cuba, offered Türkiye a “partner country” status instead of full membership. Ankara has not yet responded formally to the offer.
Fidan underlined that Türkiye’s engagement stems from a shared vision for global reform. He pointed to President Erdoğan’s frequent criticism of the current international system, encapsulated in the phrase “the world is bigger than five,” and stressed that BRICS’ goals align with Ankara’s efforts to challenge inequality in international institutions.
BRICS members—now including Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Ethiopia, Iran, Egypt, and the UAE—collectively represent nearly half the world’s population and about a third of the global economy. While not a bloc like the EU, BRICS aims to challenge Western dominance in institutions such as the UN, IMF, and World Bank.
Fidan also reiterated Türkiye’s support for action on climate change, a topic widely discussed during the summit.
On Ukraine, Fidan said Türkiye continues to play an active mediation role, citing the Istanbul Peace Talks and recent prisoner exchanges. He noted ongoing discussions about a cease-fire and a potential summit involving Erdoğan, Putin, Zelenskyy, and Trump. Russia, he said, has indicated readiness for further negotiations, and Ankara awaits a response from Ukraine.
Turning to Gaza, Fidan described Israel’s military actions as “genocidal” and pointed out a shift in international rhetoric. He noted that many countries are now distancing themselves from Israel diplomatically. While a cease-fire remains elusive, he criticized the global system’s failure to produce concrete outcomes and highlighted Türkiye’s continued involvement in diplomatic efforts.
Fidan also discussed ongoing cease-fire negotiations in Qatar, where indirect talks between Israel and Hamas are focused on humanitarian aid and withdrawal terms. He expressed cautious optimism following discussions with the Qatari prime minister and said Ankara receives daily updates from Doha.
