Belarus Officially Becomes BRICS Partner Country

Turkey has been offered partner country status by the BRICS group as it seeks to balance its Eastern and Western ties, according to Trade Minister Omer Bolat. This proposal follows President Erdogan's participation in the BRICS leaders' summit in Kazan, where Turkey expressed interest in joining the bloc. Meanwhile, Belarus officially accepted its partner status within BRICS, which allows for permanent participation in summits and foreign ministers' meetings, as confirmed by its Foreign Ministry. Belarusian President Lukashenko praised BRICS as a 'pillar of a multipolar world' and emphasized the importance of multilateral cooperation. The new partner category was introduced during the recent BRICS summit to accommodate nations interested in collaboration without full membership. Other countries, including Turkey, are considering this status as part of their foreign policy strategies.