On 2 April 2026, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev held a meeting with the heads of government and delegations of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS). The high-level gathering included Vice President of the Republic of Türkiye Cevdet Yılmaz, Prime Minister of Uzbekistan Abdulla Aripov, Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Olzhas Bektenov, Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic Adylbek Kasymaliev, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan Nokerguly Atagulyev, Prime Minister of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus Ünal Üstel, and OTS Secretary General Kubanychbek Omuraliev.
During his address, the Azerbaijani leader outlined clear priorities for the development of the association, emphasizing that the current goal of Turkic nations is “peace, cooperation, security, mutual respect, and shared interests.”
President Aliyev opened his remarks by reaffirming that the Organization of Turkic States remains the cornerstone of Azerbaijan’s foreign policy. He recalled a fundamental principle that Baku consistently promotes on all international platforms: “We have repeatedly stated from various rostrums that the Turkic world is our family; we have no other family. To lead this family into the future, joint efforts are, of course, essential.”
He noted that historical, cultural, and ethnic roots form a “wonderful foundation” upon which the modern relations of independent states are built. “There are many international organizations in the world, but there are not many created on the basis of ethnic roots. This is our great advantage. We are united by our ethnic heritage,” the President stated.
Economic cooperation held a prominent place in the speech. President Aliyev noted that the current meeting of the heads of government in Baku is of paramount importance for discussing concrete, practical steps. Among the priority areas, he emphasized:
Transport and Logistics: A strong focus was placed on the Middle Corridor, the Zangezur Corridor, and Azerbaijan’s extensive infrastructure. “Railways, the Port of Baku, our highways, and airports – the entire transport infrastructure has been brought to a state of full readiness,” Aliyev stated.
Investment Cooperation: Azerbaijan has invested over $20 billion into the economies of OTS member states, with the lion’s share of capital directed toward the Turkish economy. President Aliyev confirmed that the process of mutual investment is also actively progressing with other member states, including Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan.
Key Statements by Meeting Participants
Vice President of Türkiye, Cevdet Yılmaz, expressed his gratitude to Azerbaijan for its support following the devastating earthquake, describing it as a shining example of Turkic solidarity. He also emphasized the importance of diversifying energy routes and exploring the potential for energy transit across the Caspian Sea in light of recent global developments.
Prime Minister of Uzbekistan, Abdulla Aripov, commended Azerbaijan’s achievements in the reconstruction of Karabakh, describing the region as a “prosperous and integral part of a brotherly state.”
Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan, Adylbek Kasymaliev, expressed confidence that joint projects in trade, transport, and logistics will continue to drive the sustainable development of the OTS.
Prime Minister of Kazakhstan, Olzhas Bektenov, announced that the fiber-optic cable project along the bottom of the Caspian Sea is scheduled for completion this year. This strategic infrastructure will provide digital connectivity between Europe, China, and the broader Asian region. He also mentioned the upcoming informal OTS summit, which is set to take place in Turkestan on 15 May.
Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan, Nokerguly Atagulyev, conveyed greetings on behalf of the President and the National Leader of Turkmenistan, expressing gratitude for the invitation to the meeting. As is well known, Turkmenistan currently holds observer status within the OTS.
Prime Minister of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Ünal Üstel, emphasized his country’s readiness to serve as a hub for cooperation in business, people-to-people contacts, and transport.
Secretary General of the Organization of Turkic States, Kubanychbek Omuraliev, discussing the multi-level engagements between member states, noted that holding leadership meetings more than once a year strengthens coordination within the Organization and enhances the significance of the OTS on the international stage.
Prime Minister of Azerbaijan, Ali Asadov, outlined the key priorities of the current agenda: economic integration, transport and transit, the energy sector, and investment funds.
Overall, the meeting was held in an atmosphere of constructive dialogue. Participants expressed confidence that regular high-level contacts and the joint implementation of major projects in economics, transport, and energy will elevate the cooperation of Turkic states to a qualitatively new level and solidify the OTS’s position in the global arena.///nCa, 2 April 2026