Turkey has the right to choose which international alliances to join. But it is still a candidate country for European Union (EU) membership, and therefore it must respect the values of the EU community. This was stated by Peter Stano, Lead Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy of the European Commission of the EU, at the press conference held in Brussels—and commenting on the information that Ankara plans to join the BRICS.

Turkey, like any other country, has the right to decide what is best for it. As for EU-Turkey relations, Turkey is a candidate country for EU membership, the EU and Turkey have a customs union and very good trade relations, said Stano.

But according to him, EU membership candidate countries must respect the EU values and obligations assumed by agreements.

The EU expects the EU membership candidate countries to share EU values and align their foreign policy with EU policy. When joining the EU, candidate countries must fully align all their policies with EU policies, including those being implemented within the framework of trade agreements, added Peter Stano.