(VOVWORLD) -Turkey has requested to join BRICS, the group of emerging economies, said the spokesman for Turkey's ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP).
 Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (Photo: AFP/VNA) |
Omer Celik told a press conference that President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has repeatedly said that Turkey wants to become a member of BRICS and the process is underway. With this news, Turkey becomes the first NATO member wishing to join BRICS, a group led by China, Russia, India and Brazil.
Celik also made it clear that Turkey wants to participate in all important platforms and does not consider BRICS membership as an alternative to join other groups. Officially Turkey remains a candidate for European Union membership.
BRICS, which was established in 2009, has members including Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. Over the past two years, more countries have expressed interest in joining BRICS with some countries having officially applied, including Venezuela, Thailand, Senegal, Cuba, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Bahrain, and Pakistan.