Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has characterized the strengthening of solidarity among Turkic states as a “strategic necessity,” particularly as the international community grapples with profound global transformations and widespread conflicts. Writing in media outlets across member and observer nations ahead of the 13th summit of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) in Ankara, Erdogan emphasized that the current global climate is struggling to maintain justice and trust.
The upcoming summit, themed “The Turkic Century: Unity in Language, Thought and Deed,” is intended to reinforce the shared history and future objectives of the member nations. Erdogan noted that Türkiye is set to assume the chairmanship of the organization from Azerbaijan, a transition he described as a historic responsibility aimed at bolstering the institutional capacity of the OTS and advancing collective goals.
Economic integration remains a primary focus for the organization. Erdogan highlighted the Trans-Caspian East-West Middle Corridor as a critical opportunity to enhance trade and logistics between Asia and Europe. He argued that the Turkic geography holds the potential to emerge as a central hub for global transport, calling for improved railway, port, road, and customs infrastructure. Furthermore, he advocated for the more effective utilization of the Turkic Investment Fund, alongside increased cooperation in energy, renewable resources, production, technology, and communications.
Security cooperation also features prominently in the President's vision. He urged member states to pool resources to combat terrorism, cyber threats, and cross-border crime. Additionally, Erdogan pointed to the development of the defense industry as a key area for joint production and the sharing of expertise. Cultural heritage serves as the foundation for this unity, with the President citing influential figures such as Khoja Ahmed Yasawi, Ali Shir Nava'i, Nizami Ganjavi, Magtymguly Pyragy, Yunus Emre, and Chinghiz Aitmatov. He underscored that reaching an agreement on a common Turkic alphabet represents a significant step toward cultural rapprochement and called for closer cooperation in education, science, publishing, and digital technologies.
Addressing regional issues, Erdogan reaffirmed Türkiye's commitment to defending the rights and interests of Turkish Cypriots, calling for an end to their isolation and an expansion of the opportunities available to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus within the organization. He expressed confidence that the Ankara summit would open new horizons, stating, “I sincerely believe that the 21st century will be the ‘Century of the Turkic World.’”
