NATO Secretary General: Working with BRICS partners is Turkey's sovereign right
Following Turkey's application for BRICS membership, there was curiosity regarding the stance NATO would take. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stated that Turkey has the sovereign right to work with BRICS partners.
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Mark Rutte responded to a question about whether Turkey's BRICS application was 'a source of concern' during a joint press conference held with Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal in the capital, Tallinn.
"We know that Turkey also works together with some of the BRICS partners. It is their sovereign right to do so."
Rutte emphasized that despite this situation 'sometimes leading to discussions bilaterally or within NATO,' Turkey is important to the Alliance.
Stating that Turkey is 'a very important ally' for NATO, Rutte said, "Turkey has one of the most well-equipped military forces in NATO. It plays a vital role in its own part of the NATO geography (the southeastern flank). It provides many capabilities to NATO as a whole."
The Secretary General continued his speech as follows:
"We are very happy and pleased that Turkey has been an integral part of the Alliance for many years.
Of course, as a democracy within the Alliance, there will always be discussions among the 32 countries on one issue or another."
WHICH COUNTRIES ARE IN BRICS MEMBERSHIP?
The group, which includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, is formed from the first letters of their English names.