The European Union has been closely monitoring the evolving dynamics in Türkiye’s relations with BRICS, originally formed by Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. Even before it became a subject of discussion in the Turkish public sphere, the Western media today began making comments, reporting that Türkiye had formally applied for BRICS membership. The significance of Türkiye within the EU, underscored by its participation in the Customs Union and its strong, strategic NATO membership, has brought Türkiye-BRICS developments into focus. Some key political newspapers today highlighted Türkiye’s relationship with BRICS, emphasizing the expansion of BRICS, which is expected to be discussed during the summit scheduled for October 22-24 in Kazan, Russia. It is worth noting that Malaysia, Thailand, and Azerbaijan, a close ally of Türkiye, are also among the countries aspiring to join the group.
In the wake of the global disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ukraine-Russia war that began on February 24, 2022, and the ongoing, intensified occupation of Gaza by Israel since October 7, 2023, the European Union has faced a series of unexpected economic and political challenges. Amidst these concerns, the EU continues to debate the outcomes of internal elections and their potential impact on the future of Europe. Germany, in particular, has witnessed surprising electoral results, and the trajectory of these developments is being closely watched with concern and interest.
While the EU assesses its own shared challenges, its stance towards Türkiye and the future of their relations remains a significant agenda item. After a five-year hiatus, our Foreign Minister, H.E. Hakan Fidan, was invited to the Gymnich, an informal meeting of EU foreign ministers. The invitation of the Turkish Foreign Minister to this forum after such a long period signals that the EU is in search of a new approach regarding its relationship with Türkiye.
Following the re-election of our esteemed President, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, in May 2023 by the will of the people, reaffirming the nation’s trust, President Erdoğan’s “Türkiye Vision,” in conjunction with Foreign Minister Fidan’s “Enterprising and Humanitarian Foreign Policy,” has garnered considerable attention in the region and positively impacted our relations with the EU. This new Turkish foreign policy, characterized as regional, constructive, and system-transformative, has been noted with interest across various sectors in the EU.
As a result of Türkiye’s steadfast commitment to a multi-faceted foreign policy, the EU felt the need to engage directly with Türkiye by inviting our Foreign Minister after five years to hear Türkiye’s perspectives on key issues. Through this engagement, the EU has witnessed Türkiye’s dedication to its bid for EU membership, reaffirming its commitment to shared treaties. Notably, Türkiye’s stance on the visa issue and the challenges of sustaining the trade volume within the framework of the 1996 Customs Union agreement have reinforced the need for an updated agreement, adapted to the evolving conditions. Not only the Turkish public and trade sectors but also the EU’s industrial and supply centers are keenly awaiting the EU’s stance in response to the growing trade relationships and Türkiye’s increasing significance as a supply hub.
The EU has recognized the growing interest of its economic sector in updating the Customs Union to reflect current conditions, as well as Türkiye’s position on the visa issue. Concurrently, the EU is meticulously observing Türkiye’s engagements with other international organizations, including BRICS. It is for this reason that Türkiye’s evolving relations with BRICS have been a topic of discussion in the EU even before they entered the Turkish public sphere, with articles and commentaries already circulating on the matter.
The EU has directly benefited from Türkiye’s stable and solution-oriented approaches to international challenges, particularly in the areas of energy and food supply, with a particular emphasis on the grain deal and efforts to mitigate the effects of the Ukraine-Russia war in the Black Sea region. Commentaries suggest that the EU’s public and business sectors are increasingly being drawn towards a new approach that more carefully considers Türkiye’s contributions.
The challenges within the EU’s supply chain, exacerbated by Israel’s unjust occupation of Gaza, alongside the logistical complications in the Red Sea and Suez Canal region affecting supply routes from the Far East, have led to daily trade losses amounting to USD 10 billion. Issues such as heightened risk, insurance costs, transportation delays, and rising logistics expenses are pushing consumer costs in the EU up by 15-25%. These issues necessitate a more careful evaluation of the current situation.
Given the multi-faceted challenges on the agenda, the nearly 500 million-strong population of the EU seems to have little tolerance for further economic crises. The growing discontent among EU consumers over rising prices and the industry’s demand for supply chain stability are being acknowledged within the EU. At this juncture, Türkiye’s alternative approaches, especially its role as a bridge in energy, raw materials, and supply chains, alongside the rapidly progressing Middle Corridor and Belt and Road Initiatives, present key solutions not just for Türkiye but also for the EU. These projects offer significant solutions to many potential EU challenges. For these reasons, Türkiye’s alternative initiatives are being carefully evaluated by the EU.
Türkiye’s sincere and stable approach to regional and international challenges is becoming increasingly impossible for the EU to overlook, not just from Türkiye’s perspective but also in terms of EU industry, consumers, and supply chains.
If the EU can constructively assess Türkiye’s alternative approaches and engage with them positively, the potential economic challenges following electoral results in EU countries could be mitigated, providing relief to EU consumers and industries. In this context, the EU’s position towards Türkiye represents a crucial opportunity that should not be missed, one that holds significant potential for the stability of the EU economy and the well-being of its citizens.
Ömer Faruk DOĞAN – Ambassador
Ankara, September 3, 2024.
