Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan stated that Turkey has not been invited to join BRICS, blaming the EU’s alleged Islamophobic approach for the stalled EU membership negotiations. He emphasized BRICS’s inclusivity compared to the EU and noted the long-standing political and identity-related challenges Turkey faces in its quest for EU membership.
On Monday, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan announced that Turkey has not received an invitation to join the BRICS group of emerging economies. He attributed the stagnation of Ankara’s EU membership bid to what he describes as an “Islamophobic” stance from the European Union, as reported by the state-run Anadolu news agency.
During a press conference in Ankara with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Fidan discussed Turkey’s shifting foreign policy and its global alliances. He confirmed that BRICS, which includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, and the United Arab Emirates, is currently not admitting new members as part of institutional consolidation.
Fidan acknowledged Turkey’s interest in BRICS but mentioned the bloc’s decision to suspend new admissions. He stated, “We will continue observing developments,” as Turkey watches the evolving situation concerning BRICS. Currently, BRICS comprises about 54.6 percent of the global population and represents approximately 42.2 percent of worldwide GDP.
Despite being perceived as a counterbalance to NATO, where Turkey is a member, Fidan commended BRICS for its inclusivity, contrasting it with the European Union’s exclusivity. He remarked, “Unlike the European Union, BRICS has a remarkably inclusive composition,” noting its representation of diverse religions and cultures.
Fidan further articulated that Turkey’s long-standing attempt to join the EU has been impeded by a reluctance to accept a large Muslim-majority country, implying that this reluctance persists beneath the surface. Turkey’s EU membership process commenced in 1963 via the Ankara Agreement and escalated in 1995 with a customs union, but direct negotiations began in 2005 and have since stalled due to various concerns.
The challenges surrounding Turkey’s EU aspirations include issues related to human rights, governance, and the Cyprus dispute, further exacerbated by political tensions following the 2016 coup attempt. While the negotiations remain frozen, Fidan noted, “No one says this outright, but that’s the reality,” indicating a broader critique of identity politics within the EU.
In summary, Turkey’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan highlighted the lack of a BRICS invitation for Turkey and attributed the stalled EU membership talks to perceived Islamophobia within the EU. He articulated the contrast between BRICS and the EU in terms of inclusivity and expressed Turkey’s enduring interest in global alliances, while acknowledging the barriers to EU accession stemming from identity-related political dynamics.
Original Source: www.turkishminute.com
