Will Turkiye choose BRICS over EU?

The European Union (EU) is intensifying efforts to strengthen trade ties with Turkey in 2024, despite Turkey's growing interest in the BRICS group as an alternative strategic alliance due to frustrations with stalled progress in EU accession talks.

In an attempt to reinvigorate relations, the EU has proposed a comprehensive three-stage plan which includes increasing high-level meetings, relaunching European Investment Bank operations in Turkey, and modernizing the customs union. This initiative is part of the EU's broader strategy to secure Turkey's cooperation, particularly in light of geopolitical challenges such as Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the need for Turkey's role in migration control and NATO defense efforts. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan recently visited Russia to express Turkey's interest in joining the BRICS bloc. During this visit, Russian President Vladimir Putin welcomed Turkey's aspirations to join the BRICS group, emphasizing strong support for Turkey's desire to become closer to the association comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, with new members Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, and the UAE joining this year.


Turkey has expressed dissatisfaction with the pace of negotiations on key issues like visa-free travel and customs union updates. This has led Turkey to explore alternative alliances, such as joining the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and engaging more with BRICS, which recently expanded to include new members like Iran, the UAE, and Egypt.