Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan stated on Wednesday that Ankara would consider elevating its relationship with the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) to full membership, while emphasizing that such a move would not signify a departure from Western alliances or NATO. According to a transcript released by the Turkish Presidential Press Office, Erdogan made the remarks to journalists aboard his return flight from Kyrgyzstan after attending the bloc’s summit.
Erdogan Outlines SCO Ambitions After Bishkek Summit
President Erdogan addressed reporters following his participation in the SCO summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, where Turkey currently holds the status of a “dialogue partner.” According to reporting by Reuters, Erdogan maintained that pursuing deeper institutional ties with the security bloc—led jointly by China and Russia—does not conflict with Turkey’s longstanding commitments to other international bodies. “Turkey’s prospect of full membership to the organisation does not imply a breakaway from any other bloc or from the West,” Erdogan said, according to the official transcript.
Deepening Bilateral Ties and Energy Cooperation with Russia
During the summit sidelines in Bishkek, Erdogan met with Russian President Vladimir Putin to review bilateral cooperation, as reported by TRT World. The discussions highlighted the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant as a central pillar of Turkish-Russian economic relations. Erdogan noted that the landmark nuclear project had entered its final stage, stating that the opening of the facility would pave the way for collaborative ventures on additional power plants. Putin credited Erdogan’s personal interest for maintaining bilateral economic cooperation at a high level and expressed confidence that the project’s first unit would be commissioned within the year.
Geopolitical Context of Turkey’s Multivector Foreign Policy
The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation is led by China and Russia.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Turkey’s current status in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation? Turkey currently holds the status of a “dialogue partner” within the SCO, a security and economic bloc led by China and Russia.
- Did President Erdogan indicate that Turkey is leaving NATO? No. According to transcripts of his remarks reported by Reuters, Erdogan explicitly stated that pursuing full membership in the SCO does not imply a breakaway from Western alliances or NATO.
- What major economic projects were discussed between Turkey and Russia at the summit? According to TRT World, President Erdogan and Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed the final stages of the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant, with Putin expressing confidence that its first unit would be commissioned during the year.