Currently, the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) stands out as a central body strengthening solidarity among Turkic states in Central Asia, the South Caucasus, and Anatolia by aligning the historical and cultural ties of the Turkic World with strategic objectives. Developing joint projects in various fields such as economy, security, environment, digitalization, and education, the OTS supports member states in their efforts to achieve a stronger and more independent position both regionally and globally. The Turkic states are constructing a shared vision of the future within the framework of strategic trade routes, energy corridors, and security cooperation, aiming to accelerate regional development while adapting to global changes.
The 11th Summit of the OTS emerged as a strategic platform to expand and deepen economic, cultural, and political cooperation within the Turkic World. Held on November 6, 2024, in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, this summit displayed the determination to reinforce solidarity within the Turkic World and to strengthen this unity in various fields, producing significant results on both regional and international levels. Documents prepared by the OTS Council of Foreign Ministers prior to the summit presented decisions on fundamental issues like the economy, digitalization, and security to state leaders and secured commitments for cooperation in these areas. The summit’s main theme, “Empowering the Turkic World,” reflects an objective to develop a strategic vision for sustainable development within the Turkic World. Within this framework, decisions such as the “Turkic Green Vision” and the designation of Bishkek as the Digital Capital for 2025 indicate the OTS member countries’ intention to foster a more integrated cooperation in environmental, digitalization, and security matters.[1]
Additionally, the summit adopted key documents that reinforce the shared values and identity of the Turkic World with concrete symbols. The adoption of documents like the OTS Flag and the Turkic World Charter was seen as concrete steps toward strengthening regional cultural and political solidarity. In this context, awarding Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban the “Order of the Turkic World” symbolized the OTS’s commitment to fostering cooperation and promoting solidarity around shared values beyond borders.
The participation of figures such as Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov, Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Murat Nurtleu, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Uzbek Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov, Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Peter Szijjarto, and OTS Secretary-General Ambassador Kubanychbek Omuraliev, as well as the chairpersons of the OTS Council of Elders, TURKPA, TURKSOY, the Turkic Academy, the Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation, the Turkic Investment Fund, and the Union of Turkic Chambers of Commerce and Industry, highlighted the OTS’s expanding diplomatic network.
Kyrgyzstan’s assumption of the OTS presidency and the planned summits in Azerbaijan and Hungary for 2025 demonstrate a strong will to enhance the geopolitical and diplomatic influence of the Turkic World. After the summit, the discussions among OTS leaders on regional and international developments underscored the potential of the Turkic World to occupy a more strategic position within global power balances.[2]
Regarding language unity, during the Common Turkic Alphabet Commission meeting held in Baku on September 9–11, 2024, an agreement was reached on a new 34-letter alphabet draft. This alphabet, created with the support of the Turkic Academy and the Turkish Language Association, resulted from updating the draft prepared in 1991 and was adapted to meet modern needs. The Turkic Academy emphasized that this shared alphabet would reinforce linguistic unity among Turkic peoples and strengthen cultural ties. Indeed, at the Bishkek Summit, the encouragement of the adoption of this shared alphabet also drew attention as an expression of a commitment to preserving the linguistic heritage and maintaining cultural bonds within the Turkic World.[3]
On the other hand, the summit also emphasized security issues. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stated that the OTS currently has no plans to establish a joint military force but highlighted the importance of the Civil Protection Mechanism within the OTS. President Erdogan noted that this mechanism would enhance coordination and solidarity among member states in response to natural disasters and emergencies. The OTS’s cooperation in the fields of education and technology transfer has also been evaluated as another significant step strengthening security bonds. President Erdogan expressed that, in a period when the importance of alliances and international organizations is growing, such steps of solidarity bolster the strength of organizations. These statements underscore that the OTS focused on cooperation and development rather than a defense colloboration.[4] The presence of the OTS in Central Asia has been criticized by certain Russian and Western media outlets, suggesting that the OTS’s increasing influence in the region could be perceived as a geopolitical threat to Russia. Some Russian media sources have commented that the OTS aims to bring the countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) closer to Turkey economically. Some sources have also published analyses under titles like “Turkic States Building a Sovereign Corridor,” emphasizing that the OTS’s economic and political moves compete with the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU), of which Russia is a member. Additionally, some sources suggest that China’s “One Belt, One Road” initiative could enhance cooperation by aligning the efforts of the OTS and the EEU, with China’s project seen as a bridge that could contribute to regional integration goals and highlighting the OTS’s strategic importance in the Asia-Europe trade route.[5]
[1] “The Eleventh Summit of the Organization of Turkic States convened in Bishkek”, Organization of Turkic States, https://www.turkicstates.org/en/haberler/the-eleventh-summit-of-the-organization-of-turkic-states-convened-in-bishkek_3475, (Access Date: 12.11.2024).
[2] “Turk Mamleketter Uyumunun Tışkı İşter Ministrler Keŋeşinin Jıyını Bolup Öttü”, Kırgız Respublikasının Tışkı İşter Ministrligi, https://mfa.gov.kg/kg/zhogorku-menyu/press-kyzmaty/kystarylgan-zhaylyktar/-672b0aad5f340, (Access Date: 12.11.2024).
[3] “Tyurkskiye Strany Utverdili Yedinyy Alfavit — TRT”, 24KG, https://24.kg/obschestvo/304754_tyurkskie_stranyi_utverdili_edinyiy_alfavitnbspmdash_TRT, (Access Date: 12.11.2024).
[4] “Erdogan: Organizatsiya Tyurkskikh Gosudarstv Poka Ne Planiruyet Sozdaniye Armii”, TASS, https://tass.ru/mezhdunarodnaya-panorama/22351739, (Access Date: 12.11.2024).
[5] Mikhail Nemtyrev, “Tyurkskiye Gosudarstva Stroyat Suverennyy Koridor”, Ekspert, https://expert.ru/v-mire/tyurkskie-gosudarstva-stroyat-suverennyy-koridor, (Access Date: 12.11.2024).
