A panel titled "Unity in Language, Thought, and Action: The Future of the Turkic World" was held in Baku on May 3, Turkism Day.
The panel organised by our Directorate at the Heydar Aliyev Centre was attended by Türkiye's Ambassador to Baku Birol Akgün, Baku Representative of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Ufuk Turganer, Executive Director of the State Support Agency for Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) of Azerbaijan Aygün Aliyeva, Azerbaijani MPs, representatives of non-governmental organisations, media executives and academics.
At the panel, the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the homeland were commemorated with a moment of silence, the Azerbaijani National Anthem and the Turkish National Anthem were recited, and the video message of the Presidency's Head of Communications Fahrettin Altun was screened.
In his message, the Head of Communications Altun wished that the panel they organised to exchange ideas on the common future of the Turkic world would be auspicious.
Emphasising that the Organisation of Turkic States (OTS) was one of the most robust cooperation structures in the region, uniting the Turkic world together in political, economic, cultural and social domains, the Head of Communications Altun stated that Türkiye had been making significant efforts from the beginning to further strengthen this structure and ensure its continued progress on the basis of shared values.
Noting that in his address at the 8th Summit of the Council of Heads of State of the Organisation of Turkic States (OTS) in 2021, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan had emphasised that the OTS represented far more than a partnership based on economic or political interests — it embodied a profound unity of hearts, the Head of Communications Altun stated that President Erdoğan's remark, "There are no borders that can divide brothers who are nourished by the same spiritual heritage and who share a common history, culture, and ancestry” — stood as a clear testament to our nation’s belief in and unwavering support for the unity of the Turkic World
Pointing out that the late Ismail Gaspralı’s guiding principle — “Unity in Language, Thought, and Action” — served as a foundational motto for the Turkic World from the past to the present, the Head of Communications Altun said, "Unity in Language means strengthening our communication and mutual understanding, and preserving the values carried by our common language across generations. Unity in Thought signifies shaping a shared vision for the Turkic World through collective strategic thinking in the face of global challenges. Unity in Action, on the other hand, entails advancing together through concrete projects — from economic development to educational reform, from digital transformation to enhancing the skills and potential of the youth in every field. The ideal that the late Ismail Gaspıralı built upon three foundational pillars continues to serve as a guiding compass for us today, just as it did in the past. As countries of the Turkic World, we bear the responsibility of advancing our cooperation further by drawing strength from our shared history and culture."
"We see the OTS as the emerging cooperation model of the 21st century"
Ambassador of Türkiye to Baku Akgün stated in his speech that Gaspıralı's motto, “Unity in language, thought and action,” was not only the ideal of a certain period but also the guiding principle for the development of the Turkic world today.
Akgün indicated that these three pillars must be redefined and institutionalised to meet the needs of the time. Akgün emphasised that Turkic communities shared not only linguistic and cultural roots but also had deep connections with each other in political, economic, and social fields.
Indicating that the OTS played an important role in strengthening these ties on a systematic and institutional level, Akgün said, "The OTS is more than just a regional platform as it represents a strategic vision, trust in a common future, and a spirit of solidarity. As Türkiye, we see the OTS as the emerging cooperation model of the 21st century. In this framework, we endeavour to achieve a wide variety of common goals, including political solidarity, trade facilitation, energy security, digital transformation, education and cultural diplomacy."
Emphasising their commitment to fostering a region characterised by complementarity instead of competition and facilitating stability rather than conflict, Akgün said, "With this understanding, Türkiye is committed to strengthening the Turkic world's institutional capacity, deepening regional integration, and developing joint solutions to global issues."
Highlighting the importance of strengthening collaborations in the fields of science and technology, education, media, culture, and arts, Akgün said, "The current period represents a geopolitical transformation process in which global uncertainties increase, geopolitical risks diversify, and technological developments accelerate. In this context, the Turkic world ought to strengthen its internal dynamics and establish itself as a more visible and effective actor in the international system in order to increase its resistance to external influences. The way to achieve this goal relies on mutual trust, strategic alignment, and multi-layered cooperation."
Akgün stated that OTS served as a platform for the cultivation of dialogue that is based on regional stability, international cooperation, and solidarity.
Cihangir İşbilir, the Press Counsellor of Türkiye's Embassy in Baku, stated that they held roundtable meetings with Azerbaijani non-governmental organisations and media representatives prior to the panel to exchange ideas on the future of the Turkic world.
İşbilir stated that views on deepening cooperation in all fields in the Turkic world came to the forefront during the meetings.
Executive Director of the State Support Agency for Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) of Azerbaijan Aliyeva said, "The Turkic world is no longer a dream but a reality. This is the historical heritage that we must pass on to future generations."
The panel proceeded with the session moderated by Professor Hülya Kasapoğlu Çengel, Faculty Member of the Turkish Language and Literature Department of Ankara Hacı Bayram Veli University.
Akif Aşırlı, Member of the Board of Directors of the Press Council of Azerbaijan, Ashat Kessikbayev, Vice President of Turkic Academy, Dastanbek Cumabekov, Member of Parliament of Kyrgyzstan, Farruh Hakimov, Head of the Department for Monitoring and Analysis of Reforms in Foreign Policy and Security at the Uzbekistan Development Strategy Centre, Gökhan Güler, Special Advisor to the President of the TRNC, and Balazs Hendrich, Executive Director of the Representation Office of the OTS in Hungary, delivered speeches during the session.
Panel addresses the support of the Turkic World to TRNC
As part of the panel, a session was held under the moderation of Professor Hülya Kasapoğlu Çengel, Faculty Member of the Turkish Language and Literature Department of Ankara Hacı Bayram Veli University. The future of the Turkic World and the significance of supporting the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) were addressed during the session.
Akif Aşırlı, Member of the Board of Directors of the Press Council of Azerbaijan, Ashat Kessikbayev, Vice President of Turkic Academy, Dastanbek Cumabekov, Member of the Jogorku Kenesh of the Kyrgyz Republic, Farruh Hakimov, Head of the Department for Monitoring and Analysis of Reforms in Foreign Policy and Security at the Uzbekistan Development Strategy Centre, Gökhan Güler, Special Advisor to the President of the TRNC, and Balazs Hendrich, Executive Director of the Representation Office of the Organisation of Turkic States (OTS) in Hungary delivered speeches during the session.
Professor Kasapoğlu stated that İsmail Gaspıralı's motto “unity in language, thought, and action” was far from being a mere slogan and added: "This motto embodies profound meaning. It is a great formula. It is necessary to figure out this formula."
Akif Aşırlı, Member of the Board of Directors of the Press Council of Azerbaijan, stated that certain powers that are not in favour of the unity of the Turkic World were working against it and that the OTS became an important organisation despite all the pressures and that the TRNC was an observer member of this organisation and said, "We believe that the TRNC will become a full member of the OTS. Our expectations from the organisation are high."
Noting that European countries consisting of different nationalities had established a strong union, Cumabekov stated that the brotherly Turkic States should establish a strong union at least at the level of the European Union (EU).
Cumabekov said, "300 million people live in the Turkic World. We share the same language and religion. We are siblings. Yet, our voices are not as loud as theirs. The Turkic World is full of richness. However, the voice of the Turkic World is not very loud in the world. If we band together, the future of the Turkic world will also be favourable. If we consider each other's concerns as our own, then the true unity of the Turkic World will be achieved."
In his speech, Vice President of the Turkic Academy Kessikbayev explained the efforts made and the results obtained regarding the common alphabet within the framework of OTS.
Reminding that the experts of the OTS member countries reached an agreement on the common alphabet, Kessikbayev said, "The first step of the motto of unity in language has been taken with the common alphabet. The next stage is joint historiography."
Hakimov, Head of the Department for Monitoring and Analysis of Reforms in Foreign Policy and Security at the Uzbekistan Development Strategy Centre, stated that they wanted to continue developing friendly and fraternal relations with Turkic states.
Hakimov stated that Uzbekistan contributed to the further strengthening of the OTS and that member states should deepen their relations.
Executive Director of the Representation Office of the Organisation of Turkic States in Hungary, Hendrich, stated that they wanted OTS to be more active on the international stage.
Hendrich said, "As Hungary, we can play a bridging role between the Turkic World and Europe."
Güler, Special Advisor to the President of the TRNC, expressed his gratitude to Azerbaijan and President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan for the support given to the TRNC.
Indicating that Azerbaijan's victory in the Second Karabakh War became a symbol of unity and solidarity in the Turkic World, Güler said, "Our greatest strength is the unity, solidarity and cooperation of the Turkic World. The Karabakh victory is the most recent example of what we can accomplish when we unite and demonstrate solidarity. The Turkish Cypriot people want the Turkic World to demonstrate the same level of support and solidarity for the TRNC as it did during the Karabakh victory."
Güler recalled that the Greek Cypriot Administration of Southern Cyprus, by exerting pressure and threatening to veto the “strategic partnership” document signed between the European Union and Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan — all members and observers of the Organisation of Turkic States — managed to secure the insertion of a single line reaffirming commitment to United Nations Security Council Resolutions 541 and 550. He said, "It is obvious that this has greatly saddened the Turkish Cypriot people. However, the trust and fraternity that the Turkish Cypriot people feel towards the Turkic states and people has not diminished in the least. We will build the future together and with determination."
Reminding that Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kyrgyzstan Jeenbek Kulubayev said, "We might inaugurate a representative office in the TRNC," Güler thanked Kyrgyzstan.
At the event, a video titled "Unity in Language, Thought, and Action" produced by our Directorate was also screened for the audience.
