President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan penned an article for the 13th Summit of the Organisation of Turkic States (OTS), which was published in leading media outlets across member and observer countries. Entitled “The Century of the Turkic World: From Solidarity to Integration”, the article was published simultaneously in Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), Turkmenistan and Hungary.
In the article published ahead of the summit to be held in Ankara, President Erdoğan conveyed important messages, opening with the following words: “The unity of the Turkic world is the strongest manifestation of the deep-rooted legacy we have inherited from our shared history and our determination to shape our common future.”
"The bridges of affection that have united our brotherly peoples across different geographies and through countless trials over the centuries today form the solid foundations of our political, people-to-people, economic and cultural solidarity under the umbrella of the Organisation of Turkic States. It is our collective historic responsibility to harness the immense potential of the Turkic world in pursuit of common objectives, consolidate our unity through tangible achievements and bequeath a stronger Turkic world to future generations."
Highlighting the significance of the Ankara Summit and Türkiye’s forthcoming chairmanship of the Organisation, President Erdoğan stated: “I regard the 13th Summit of the Organisation of Turkic States, which we will host in Ankara under the theme “The Turkic Century: Unity in Language, Thought and Action”, as an important gathering that will further reinforce this shared determination. I also consider Türkiye's assumption of the chairmanship from our brotherly Azerbaijan at the Summit a historic responsibility in terms of advancing the common objectives of the Turkic world and strengthening the institutional capacity of our Organisation."
Highlighting the significance of the Ankara Summit and Türkiye’s forthcoming chairmanship of the Organisation, President Erdoğan stated: “I regard the 13th Summit of the Organisation of Turkic States, which we will host in Ankara under the theme ‘The Turkic Century: Unity in Language, Thought and Action’, as an important gathering that will further reinforce this shared determination." President Erdoğan underscored that the time had come to strengthen their brotherhood through strong institutions that would carry it forward to future generations and to translate the collective determination into lasting achievements through concrete projects.
“Solidarity among the Turkic states has become a strategic imperative”
Drawing attention to the changing dynamics of global politics and the importance of solidarity among the Turkic states, President Erdoğan stated:
"World politics is undergoing a profound transformation. At a time when the international system is struggling to uphold justice and establish trust, and wars and crises are affecting vast regions, solidarity among the Turkic states has become a strategic imperative. United by a common resolve, the Turkic states possess the strength to overcome even the most formidable challenges and determine their own future. The unity of the Turkic world rests upon respect for the sovereignty, independence and national will of each of our brotherly countries. This unity will be built upon mutual trust and shared interests, as well as common values."
"The economic integration of the Turkic world is among the foremost priorities"
In his article, President Erdoğan highlighted the importance of economic integration in the Turkic world and pointed to the opportunities offered by the Trans-Caspian East-West Middle Corridor:
"The economic integration of the Turkic world is among the foremost priorities to which our Organisation must devote particular attention in the period ahead. In this regard, the Trans-Caspian East-West Middle Corridor presents a historic opportunity. At a time when trade between Asia and Europe is being reshaped, the geography of the Turkic world has the potential to become one of the major hubs of global transport and logistics networks. We are developing our railways, ports, road connections and customs systems as complementary components of an integrated network. Every investment connecting the two shores of the Caspian Sea will expand trade among our brotherly countries and contribute to our shared prosperity.
To this end, we will make more effective use of the Turkic Investment Fund, work together to overcome barriers to trade among our countries and reinforce one another's strengths in production and investment. We will make the most effective use of our energy resources, renewable energy potential and communications infrastructure in pursuit of our common objectives. By mobilising opportunities across the Turkic world towards shared goals, we will collectively build upon our achievements in production, trade and technology."
President Erdoğan stated that the solidarity established in the economic sphere was also being resolutely maintained in the field of security, explaining that the countries would pool their resources and enhance their capacity to act jointly in the face of terrorism, transnational crimes, cyber threats and natural disasters. President Erdoğan emphasised that the countries would bring together their expertise in the defence industry, develop indigenous and national technologies, and increase their joint production capacity.