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President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Türkiye's potential membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization would not mean turning its back on the West, describing Ankara's foreign policy as guided by a "360-degree vision" aimed at expanding its global influence.
Erdogan made the remarks to journalists on his return flight from Bishkek, where he attended the SCO summit as an honorary guest at the invitation of Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov.
“Türkiye’s perspective on membership in the organization absolutely does not mean breaking away from a bloc or turning our back on the West,” Erdogan said. “Our goal is to increase our own weight with a 360-degree vision.”
Türkiye has participated in SCO summits as a dialogue partner since 2012.
Erdogan said the Bishkek summit demonstrated Türkiye’s determination to diversify its economic, political and strategic options.
He said the SCO, whose foundations were laid about 30 years ago as the “Shanghai Five,” has developed into a major regional organization bringing together nearly 30 countries and international organizations.
According to Erdogan, the organization represents an economic area worth about $35 trillion and a population of more than 4 billion, while Türkiye’s annual trade with SCO member states is approaching $150 billion.
He said Türkiye’s growing economy and strategic position between East and West made closer relations with the region increasingly important, describing Ankara’s 2019 “Asia Anew” initiative as part of the same approach.
Erdogan said Türkiye can develop balanced relations with both the East and West while deepening ties with both.
Erdogan said relations between Türkiye and the SCO had advanced significantly in recent years as part of Ankara’s multidimensional foreign policy.
He said Türkiye would continue to be a natural part of initiatives sharing its values as “the westernmost Asian and easternmost European country.”
Erdogan also reiterated Türkiye’s support for resolving regional conflicts and crises through dialogue, diplomacy and international law.
The SCO traces its roots to the Shanghai Five, formed in 1996 by China, Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Kazakhstan with a focus on border security and disarmament.
It adopted its current name in 2001, when Uzbekistan joined, and later expanded with India and Pakistan in 2017, Iran in 2023 and Belarus in 2024, bringing full membership to 10 countries.
Afghanistan and Mongolia hold observer status, while Türkiye, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Qatar are among 15 dialogue partners.
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