Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has urged for enhanced unity and economic cooperation among Turkic nations at the 13th summit of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) held in Ankara. Addressing the Council of Heads of State, Erdoğan emphasized the importance of historical and cultural ties as a foundation for political, economic, and diplomatic collaboration.
The summit, themed “Turkic Century: Unity in Language, Thought and Action,” brought together leaders from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. With Türkiye assuming the OTS rotating chairmanship from Azerbaijan, Erdoğan committed to transforming cooperation agreements into tangible achievements, focusing on promoting a common language, cultural exchanges, and enhancing women’s societal participation.
Erdoğan also expressed support for Northern Cyprus and Turkmenistan’s potential full membership in the organization. He highlighted regional concerns, advocating for lasting peace between Azerbaijan and Armenia, diplomatic solutions to tensions involving Iran, increased humanitarian aid to Gaza, and support for a Palestinian state based on 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Economic connectivity was a key focus, with Erdoğan promoting the Trans-Caspian East-West Middle Corridor as a strategic trade route linking Asia and Europe. He called for stronger collaboration in transport, trade, energy, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and digital trade, proposing initiatives like a joint satellite project and a shared digital commerce platform.
Other leaders echoed similar sentiments for increased cooperation. Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev proposed launching strategic joint investment projects while Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev emphasized strengthening the OTS’s international presence. Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedov highlighted the need for energy, transport, and agriculture collaboration, and Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov praised Türkiye’s diplomatic efforts.
Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov underscored the importance of peace with Armenia and enhancing regional transport links, including the Middle Corridor and Zangezur Corridor, while Northern Cyprus President Tufan Erhürman advocated for lifting restrictions on Turkish Cypriots’ participation in international activities.
The summit concluded with a joint declaration, reinforcing commitments to closer cooperation and stronger regional partnerships. Erdoğan thanked outgoing OTS Secretary-General Kubanychbek Omuraliev and welcomed incoming Secretary-General Mirvahid Azimov.