Turkey's ruling party says Ankara applied for BRICS membership - media

ISTANBUL. Sept 3 (Interfax) - The Turkish ruling Justice and Development Party confirmed on Tuesday that Turkey filed an application to join the BRICS group of states, Western media said.

"Our president has many times stated that we want to become a BRICS member. [...] The process is now under way," party spokesman Omer Celik said.

A number of media outlets offered a different interpretation of Celik's words, not seeing these as proof that Ankara applied indeed. Thus, the Associated Press news agency reported that a party spokesperson confirmed Turkey's interest in joining BRICS and did not speak unequivocally about filing an application.

Ankara filed for BRICS membership, Bloomberg reported earlier, citing sources.

Turkey has shown interest in joining BRICS, Russian presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov said on Monday.