Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said that Ankara is exploring new global alliances, reiterating its long-standing aspirations for EU membership.
Amid speculation that Turkey may seek to join the Russia-led BRICS group, Fidan noted that this interest would not exist if Turkey had already gained EU membership. He emphasized that Turkey has pursued EU membership in good faith since applying in 1987, but negotiations have stalled. As a result, Ankara is now considering other alliances, such as BRICS and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
“If our economic integration with the EU had resulted in full membership, rather than just a Customs Union, we might not be searching for alternatives,” Fidan told Anadolu.
Read the full report here.
