Exclusive | Nato member Turkey reaffirms Brics ambitions amid transatlantic rifts
New Turkish ambassador Selcuk Unal says the country is seeking deeper ties with China while bridging Asia and Europe
Ankara, meanwhile, would continue to work with Beijing to deepen trade ties, promote high-level visits, expand cultural and academic exchanges and build political trust through dialogue on security, counterterrorism and other sensitive issues, the envoy told the South China Morning Post.
In an interview on January 24 during his first trip to Hong Kong, Selcuk Unal described the Brics grouping and its members as “rising economies” playing an increasingly important role across the world.
“That’s why we would really like to become a member one day,” Unal said, adding that the decision ultimately depended on the Brics members.
He presented his credentials to Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing last month after assuming the post in August last year. He previously served as ambassador to the Netherlands and Canada and as Turkey’s special envoy for Syria.
Ankara was instead offered “partner country” status in 2024 amid reported concerns about how Turkey’s Nato membership would align with Brics, which sees itself as a counterweight to the Western-led global order.