OREANDA-NEWS  Turkey has the right to cooperate with the BRICS countries, if this does not contradict the principles of the country's membership in NATO. This was stated by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte during a press conference.

"Of course, we are 32 democracies in NATO, of course, there will always be debates on this or that topic. But we know that Turkey is working with partners or towards BRICS partners, they have the right to do this," the Secretary General said.

He stressed that Ankara's cooperation with the BRICS may raise questions among the countries of the alliance, but their assessment of this factor will not affect the importance of Turkey's relations with NATO. Rutte expressed confidence that Turkey "is and always will be" a member of NATO, as "NATO is very popular in Turkey, and Turkey is very popular in NATO."

Earlier it became known that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will come to the summit of the BRICS interstate association, which will be held in Kazan from October 22 to 24. This was announced by the official representative of the ruling Justice and Development Party in the republic, Omer Celik.