ANKARA, November 13. /TASS/. Turkey’s possible accession to BRICS would not negatively impact NATO, the country’s Minister of National Defense Yasar Guler said.

"We have been part of NATO for 70 years, providing substantial support to the alliance," Guler told TV100 channel. "NATO is a defensive structure, while BRICS is an economic one. If we manage [to join BRICS], we could achieve significant results for our economic growth. I do not believe this will affect NATO negatively," he said.

Earlier, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Turkey intends to actively develop ties with BRICS, with a view to becoming a full member of the group.