BRICS offered Turkey partner country status: Official

file-MIKE HUTCHINGS/AFP

Turkey was offered partner country status by the BRICS group of nations, Trade Minister Omer Bolat said, as Ankara continues what it calls its efforts to balance its Eastern and Western ties.

Turkey, a NATO member, has in recent months voiced interest in joining the BRICS group of emerging economies, comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Ethiopia, Iran, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan attended a BRICS leaders' summit hosted by Russian President Vladimir Putin in Kazan last month, after Ankara said it had taken formal steps to become a member of the group.

"As for Turkey's status regarding (BRICS) membership, they offered Turkey the status of partner membership," Bolat said in an interview with private broadcaster TVNet on Wednesday.

"This (status) is the transition process in the organisational structure of BRICS," he said.

Ankara sees the BRICS group as an opportunity to further economic cooperation with member states, rather than an alternative to its Western ties and NATO membership, Erdogan has said.

Turkish officials have repeatedly said potential membership of BRICS would not affect Turkey's responsibilities to the Western military alliance.

Aside from full membership, BRICS members introduced a "partner country" category in Kazan, according to the declaration issued by BRICS on Oct. 23.

Bolat did not say whether Ankara had accepted the proposal.

An official in Erdogan's ruling AK Party told Reuters this month that while the proposal had been discussed in Kazan, partner country status would fall short of Turkey's demands for membership.

More from International

Coming Up on Dubai Eye

  • Nights on Dubai Eye 103.8

    11:00pm - 6:00am

    Dubai Eye complements the conversation with the music you love from the eighties, nineties and newer.

  • The Business Breakfast

    6:00am - 10:00am

    The Business Breakfast is the day’s must listen for the UAE’s business leaders, and those who aspire to be.

BUSINESS BREAKFAST LATEST

On Dubai Eye

  • Is There Sufficient House Supply In UAE

    Dubai’s current population is more than double compared to almost twenty years ago, which now stands at 3.7 million. Lots of families are also moving to the UAE now. So what does it mean for the property market?

  • Noon's First Female Delivery Driver

    Glory Ehirim Nkiruka is Noon’s first ever female delivery driver. In her first ever interview, she explained why she loves her job, despite the heat!