Kristina Jovanovski reports that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is set to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meeting on July 3 in Astana, Kazakhstan, where he will meet Russian President Vladimir Putin. This follows a series of high-level discussions between Turkey and Eastern-aligned countries. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan suggested that the SCO and BRICS (an economic group including China and Russia) could be alternatives to the European Union (EU), as Turkey has faced prolonged delays in joining the EU.
Fidan’s comments came after his visit to China, the highest-level meeting by a Turkish official there since 2012. The discussions highlighted Turkey’s potential role in increasing cooperation among Muslim-majority countries, especially in light of the Gaza conflict. During a joint press conference, Fidan and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi called for a cease-fire in Gaza and emphasized the importance of enhancing bilateral cooperation in various sectors, including trade, energy, and technology.
Yusuf Can, an analyst at the Wilson Center, noted that Turkey’s NATO membership makes its interest in BRICS significant for China, offering a valuable public relations opportunity as China competes with the West for global influence. Turkey’s strategic position and attempt to balance NATO relations with stronger ties to Russia and China are part of its broader aim to gain geopolitical independence and enhance its global influence.
Jovanovski’s article underscores Turkey’s strategic maneuvering in international relations and the potential impact of its increasing alignment with Eastern powers. Read the full article for an in-depth analysis of Turkey’s diplomatic efforts and the implications for its global standing.
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