Turkey, a NATO member, has submitted a request for full membership in BRICS, announced Yuri Ushakov, an aide to President Vladimir Putin for foreign affairs, highlighting that the request will be considered.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has repeatedly stated that his country aims to become a BRICS member, according to Omer Celik, the spokesperson for the ruling AKP party.
BRICS was founded in 2006 by Brazil, Russia, India, and China, with South Africa joining in 2010. The most recent countries to officially join are Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, and the United Arab Emirates. Saudi Arabia is considering joining, while Azerbaijan and Malaysia have officially applied.
In addition to economic ties and a shift toward mutual payments in national currencies, the founding members advocate for a fairer world order and the reform of international institutions such as the United Nations, the International Monetary Fund, and the World Bank.