The Presidency’s Directorate of Communications organised a panel titled “Turkic World Dialogues: Shared Future, Shared Vision” in Lefkoşa, the capital of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC).
Ahead of the 13th Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Organisation of Turkic States (OTS), to be hosted by Türkiye on 29–30 October 2026, the Directorate of Communications has been organising a series of panels in OTS member and observer countries. The fifth event in the series, which began in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, and continued in Baku, Tashkent and Bishkek, was held in Lefkoşa, the capital of the TRNC, on 12 October 2026.
The programme began with opening remarks by Ali Murat Başçeri, the Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye to Lefkoşa, and featured a video message from Prof. Burhanettin Duran, the Presidency’s Head of Communications.
In his video message, Head of Communications Duran highlighted the Organisation of Turkic States’ approach, grounded in international partnerships and multilateral cooperation, and pointed to the opportunities offered by growing ties among Turkic states in transport, energy, trade and the digital economy at the regional and global levels. Emphasising the need for the Turkic world to act together amid global uncertainties, geopolitical tensions, and challenges confronting the international system, Duran noted that shared historical and cultural values formed the foundation of solidarity among the countries.
Stressing the need for closer coordination in communication and media, Head of Communications Duran drew attention to the adverse effects of disinformation, hate speech and digital manipulation on social cohesion and relations between countries. In this context, he underscored the importance of Turkic states sharing knowledge and experience, establishing joint communication mechanisms, and strengthening their coordination capacity, particularly in times of crisis. Duran expressed his hope that the panel series held ahead of the Ankara Summit would contribute to developing a shared understanding of the future of the Turkic world and strengthening the prospects for cooperation.
The panel, moderated by Mustafa Aydın, faculty member of the Department of International Relations at Kadir Has University, featured contributions from Orhan Erdem, 28th-term AK Party Member of Parliament for Konya and Chair of the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye–TRNC Interparliamentary Friendship Group; Oktay Öksüzoğlu, TRNC Representative to the OTS Council of Elders; Meryem Aybike Sinan, Turkologist, author and AK Party's Deputy Head of Relations with Turkic States; and Prof. Ulvi Keser, faculty member at Final International University.
The panel discussed the partnerships developing between the Turkic states in various fields, the current challenges faced at regional and global levels, and the organisational development of the Organisation of Turkic States since its establishment. Views were exchanged on cooperation in the field of communications, the fight against disinformation, and public diplomacy initiatives, in addition to economic and political developments. It was emphasised that further deepening cultural, social, and diplomatic relations under the umbrella of the OTS and making effective use of soft-power instruments would enhance the Turkic world’s influence in the international public sphere and strengthen its capacity to act in unison.
Prof. Mustafa Aydın, a faculty member of the Department of International Relations at Kadir Has University, who chaired the panel, emphasised the need to foster dialogue and cooperation among the countries of the Turkic world under the umbrella of the Organisation of Turkic States. Aydın noted that the meetings bringing together different perspectives as part of the “Turkic World Dialogues: Shared Future, Shared Vision” programme had contributed to strengthening a common understanding, and added that holding the event in the TRNC carried special significance and value.
Orhan Erdem, AK Party Member of Parliament for Konya and Chair of the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye–TRNC Interparliamentary Friendship Group, emphasised the need to strengthen friendship, unity, and solidarity amongst the Turkic states under the umbrella of the OTS. Calling for increased mutual contacts and the development of interparliamentary friendship groups, Erdem drew attention to the TRNC’s strategic position in the Turkic world’s process of integration and solidarity.
In his speech, TRNC Representative to the Organisation of Turkic States Council of Elders Oktay Öksüzoğlu reflected on the Turkish Cypriot people's struggle, describing 1974 as a historical watershed and underscoring the importance of safeguarding the TRNC’s existence and carrying it confidently into the future. Calling on the Turkic world to act in unity and solidarity, Öksüzoğlu stated that the spirit of common struggle and solidarity should be sustained in line with the understanding of “One for all, all for one.”
Turkologist, author and AK Party's Deputy Head of Relations with Turkic States, Meryem Aybike Sinan stressed in her speech that, at a time when global power balances are rapidly changing, and regional alliances and institutional integration processes are gaining prominence, coordinated public diplomacy activities, strategic communication efforts and institutional solidarity among the Turkic states should be strengthened. She stated that, in addition to economic and political cooperation, developing social closeness, cultural ties and relations of friendship based on mutual respect and trust plays a decisive role in achieving lasting and strong integration among the Turkic states.
Professor Ulvi Keser, a faculty member at Final International University, stated in his remarks that more systematic and effective efforts are needed, particularly in combating disinformation and black propaganda. Emphasising the importance of preserving Turkic identity and national consciousness, Keser stated that soft power elements should be effectively used in advancing cultural, sporting, artistic and scientific activities. He drew attention to the need for member countries of the Organisation of Turkic States to unite around common goals and act in solidarity and cooperation with one another.
A press conference was held in the second part of the panel programme. Moderated by Professor Mustafa Aydın, the panel featured an exchange with journalists, during which the speakers shared their assessments of the Organisation of Turkic States’ role in advancing cooperation among Turkic states and the key factors shaping the approach of major global actors towards the Turkic world. The event, which brought together members of parliament, representatives of diplomatic missions, public institutions, academia and think tanks, security and foreign policy circles, as well as members of the international media, helped raise international awareness of the role played by the Organisation of Turkic States (OTS) in strengthening cooperation among the Turkic states ahead of the 13th Summit of Heads of State to be held in Ankara.
