Turkey Excluded from BRICS Invitation, Cites EU’s Islamophobic Stance
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan stated that Turkey has not received an invitation to join BRICS, citing the EU’s “Islamophobic” stance as a barrier to its long-standing EU membership bid. He affirmed that BRICS has currently halted new member admissions while contrasting its inclusivity with the EU’s exclusivity. Fidan also noted that Turkey’s EU membership journey faces hurdles, asserting that identity politics contribute to the stalled negotiations.
On Monday, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan announced that Turkey has not received an invitation to join the BRICS coalition of emerging economies. He attributed this lack of invitation to the European Union’s perceived “Islamophobic” stance, which he claims has impeded Turkey’s longstanding attempt to gain EU membership, as reported by the Anadolu news agency.
During a joint press conference in Ankara with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Fidan discussed Turkey’s shifting foreign policy and international partnerships, confirming that BRICS has suspended new member admissions as part of its institutional consolidation. He indicated that Turkey has expressed interest in joining BRICS and is closely monitoring its developments.
Presently, BRICS includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, and the United Arab Emirates. As of last month, BRICS encompasses approximately 54.6 percent of the global population and accounts for around 42.2 percent of the world’s GDP, with an ongoing expansion including nine potential member countries: Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Uganda, and Uzbekistan.
Fidan also contrasted BRICS with the EU, praising the former’s inclusivity. He noted, “Unlike the European Union, BRICS has a remarkably inclusive composition. It brings together countries of every color, religion, culture and civilization — Muslim, Christian, Hindu, Buddhist; Black, White — creating a platform that embraces diversity.”
The Foreign Minister stated that Turkey’s pursuit of EU membership has been obstructed by the EU’s reluctance to integrate a large Muslim-majority nation. He emphasized, “No one says this outright, but that’s the reality.” Turkey’s EU accession process began with the 1963 Ankara Agreement, establishing an association with the European Economic Community.
Turkey’s relationship with the EU deepened in 1995 through a customs union agreement; however, full membership has yet to be realized. Turkey was designated as an official EU candidate in 1999, with accession negotiations starting in 2005. Nonetheless, these talks have stalled due to issues relating to human rights, governance, and the Cyprus dispute.
The article underscores Turkey’s challenges regarding its membership in both BRICS and the European Union. While Turkey expresses interest in BRICS amidst claims of EU ‘Islamophobia’ hindering membership talks, the stalled progress toward EU integration has roots in deeper issues of governance and identity politics. Despite these challenges, Turkey maintains its candidacy for EU membership, highlighting the complex dynamics at play.
Original Source: www.turkishminute.com
