Türkiye's presence in BRICS, ASEAN could reshape regional dynamics: President Erdogan

By Yasin Gungor

ISTANBUL (AA) - Türkiye's potential membership in BRICS and Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) would "change the arithmetic of the regions," the country's president said on Wednesday.

"We cannot put aside the fact that we have ties with Europe and America as much as we have ties with Central Asia, Russia, the Baltic region or the Far East," Recep Tayyip Erdogan told journalists at the Turkish House in New York.

Türkiye has a "deep-rooted" history with the Arab region, Gulf countries, as well as close relations with Africa,” he added.

Erdogan emphasized Türkiye's unique position bridging multiple regions and alliances.

Türkiye's history encourage the country to build diverse partnerships, he said, rejecting claims that Türkiye's membership in other organizations would conflict with its NATO membership.

"Being part of these organizations does not mean giving up on NATO," Erdogan said, underlining Ankara does not see these alliances as alternatives to each other.

“Just because we are a NATO country, we cannot cut our ties with the Turkic world and the Islamic world," he added.

Erdogan stressed that BRICS and ASEAN offer economic cooperation opportunities, viewing these alliances as complementary to Türkiye's existing partnerships.

He criticized those opposing Türkiye’s membership aspirations to other organizations, saying that they are the same people who have long delayed the country's EU accession. “We can never determine our future by looking at them,” he said.

- Disinflation progress

Addressing domestic economic concerns, Erdogan expressed optimism about Türkiye's economic trajectory since implementing a new program last June.

"We have started to rein in inflation and started the permanent disinflation process," Erdogan said, emphasizing that international institutions now recognize the program's success.

Erdogan pointed to a steady decline in inflation rates, projecting an accelerated pace of improvement in the coming months.

Underlining that Türkiye has achieved it in “a region with turmoil and instability,” the president said Türkiye will continue on this path in a "disciplined manner."