Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan stated that Turkey has not been invited to join BRICS and blamed the EU’s alleged Islamophobia for hindering Turkey’s EU membership talks. He noted BRICS’ current pause on new admissions and expressed appreciation for the bloc’s inclusivity compared to the EU. Despite several challenges, Turkey remains an official candidate for EU membership.
On Monday, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan announced that Turkey has not received an invitation to join the BRICS bloc of emerging economies, attributing the delay to the European Union’s purported “Islamophobic” stance which has impeded Turkey’s long-desired EU membership bid. This statement was made during a joint press conference in Ankara alongside Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, where they discussed Turkey’s shifting foreign policy and its global alliances.
Fidan noted that although Turkey has expressed interest in joining BRICS, the bloc has currently halted new member admissions to facilitate its institutional consolidation. “We are closely following BRICS and have clearly shown our interest…We haven’t received a membership offer, so for now, we will continue observing developments,” he stated.
As of last month, BRICS encompasses roughly 54.6 percent of the global population and accounts for about 42.2 percent of the world’s GDP. The bloc is in the process of expanding its membership, with nine additional nations on track for full inclusion.
In contrast to the perceived exclusivity of the European Union, Fidan highlighted BRICS’ inclusivity, which features a diverse range of countries. He remarked, “Unlike the European Union, BRICS has a remarkably inclusive composition…creating a platform that embraces diversity.” He expressed hope that this approach would evolve into a successfully institutionalized economic framework.
Furthermore, Fidan pointed out that Turkey’s pursuit of EU membership has faced challenges, particularly regarding its status as a large Muslim-majority nation. He stated, “No one says this outright, but that’s the reality.” Turkey’s journey towards EU accession commenced in 1963 with the Ankara Agreement and continued through various stages but has since encountered significant roadblocks.
Turkey’s candidacy for EU membership, officially recognized since 1999, has stalled due to concerns over human rights, governance issues, and the Cyprus conflict. After a coup attempt in Turkey in 2016, relations soured further due to political crackdowns, yet Turkey remains an official candidate for EU membership.
In summary, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan’s remarks underscore Turkey’s frustration with stalled EU membership talks, attributing part of the delay to perceived discrimination against Muslim-majority nations. While expressing interest in BRICS, he acknowledged the bloc’s current pause on new memberships and contrasted its inclusive nature with that of the European Union. Turkey’s journey towards EU membership continues, albeit with significant challenges ahead.
Original Source: www.turkishminute.com
