IRIA News

Leaders and top diplomats from Turkey, Azerbaijan, Hungary, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan arrived in Kazakhstan’s capital Astana for the 10th summit of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS).

The summit focused on discussing the collective responsibility of the Turkic world in preventing global challenges.

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev presided over the summit in the presence of his fellow leaders of the Turkic states. The OTS leaders expressed concern over the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine and condemned all attacks targeting civilians in the besieged Gaza Strip.

Astana Declaration

A joint declaration was adopted by the organization that called on all parties to the conflict to declare an “immediate cease-fire to protect civilians and to provide immediate and unhindered humanitarian aid throughout the Gaza Strip.” Nearly 10,800 people have been killed in the conflict, including at least 9,227 Palestinians and more than 1,538 Israelis.

The Astana declaration also underlined the importance of holding consultations among OTS member countries to develop an integrated stance on regional and international issues that concern the interests of the Turkic world.

During his opening remarks, the Kazakh President highlighted the importance of strengthening the cooperation between the Turkic world. 

“Most importantly, we have strengthened the unity of fraternal countries. We have demonstrated to the whole world our commitment to our common values. We fulfill the will of our ancestors, and strengthen the cooperation of the Turkic nations. Now the goal is to preserve our unity, based on mutual trust and brotherhood, and pass it on to the next generations. The Turkic world interacts with global powers on an equal footing,” said Tokayev. 

Apart from the joint meeting, the heads of state also conducted bilateral meetings with each other and signed 12 agreements to bolster Turkic unity. These agreements encompass a roadmap for the 2023-2027 transport communication program, regulations concerning permanent representatives, the introduction of new flags for Turkic organizations, and the decision to grant the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) an observer status within OTS.

Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan emphasized the importance of Turkic unity in the face of modern global challenges. He said “The Organization of Turkic States is becoming a growing force in the world, capable of removing blockages in the international system and offering effective and lasting solutions. We will work harder to build a more inclusive and just world in the future. Because the hope of peace is linked to the Turkish era.”

Türk Devletleri Teşkilatımızın 10’uncu toplantısını Kazakistan’ın başkenti Astana’da gerçekleştirdik.

Küresel sınamalarla mücadelemizde en önemli gücümüz, Türk dünyasının birlik, beraberlik ve dayanışmasıdır.… pic.twitter.com/dJcH1NJO7L

— Recep Tayyip Erdoğan (@RTErdogan) November 3, 2023

During his remarks, the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev congratulated the people of Kazakhstan on the recently celebrated Republic Day, the Turkish people on the 100th anniversary of their Republic Day, and the Azerbaijani nation on “the great victory for the full restoration of territorial integrity,” referring to Baku’s detrimental military success in Nagorno-Karabakh region. 

Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev emphasized the foundational significance of ethnic and cultural roots, language, and shared history. “In the past two years, I have paid 20 visits to the OTS member and observer states, and the leaders of the brotherly countries have also visited Azerbaijan on multiple occasions within the same period,” he said. 

He mentioned that Azerbaijan has invested over $20 billion into the economies of Turkic states, primarily in Türkiye. He further spotlighted Azerbaijan’s transit and transport potential.

Hungarian Prime Minister Victor Orban was also present during the summit as Hungary is an observer state of the OTS. He shared the European perspective on the ongoing challenges worldwide, emphasizing their potential influence on the relationship between the Turkic world and Europe. 

“Global security has never been in a worse situation. Since the end of the Cold War, we have never encountered a situation as difficult or complicated as it is now,” he noted.

Organization of Turkic States 

The Organization of Turkic States, formerly known as the Turkic Council, is the brainchild of former Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev, who proposed the idea in 2006. The organization was formed in 2009 with Turkey, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan as its permanent members. Hungary and Turkmenistan are observer states in the organization. 

The territory of the OTS countries is home to 260 million people. The organization focuses on increasing comprehensive cooperation among the Turkic Speaking States, as well as making joint contributions to peace and stability in the region and in the world. Member States have nominally confirmed their commitment to democratic values, human rights, the rule of law, and principles of good governance. Trade turnover between the Turkic states surpassed $22 billion last year.