Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, President of the Republic of Türkiye
Our will to forge our common future, built upon a heritage of deep roots left to us by our shared history, finds its strongest expression in the unity of the Turkic world. Over the centuries, our brotherly peoples have successfully passed numerous tests across various regions. Today, we rely upon the bridges of the heart that unite us as the solid foundation of our political, humanitarian, economic, and cultural solidarity within the framework of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS).
A historic responsibility rests upon all of us: we must channel the immense potential of the Turkic world toward common goals, consolidate our unity through concrete results, and leave behind an even more powerful Turkic world for future generations.
We will hold the 13th Summit of the Organization of Turkic States in Ankara under the theme “Turkic Century: Unity in Language, Thought, and Action.” The reason I attach such great importance to this meeting is that it will further reinforce our common will. Alongside the summit, we will take over the Chairmanship-in-Office from dear Azerbaijan. I consider this duty as a historic responsibility falling upon us to achieve the common goals of the Turkic world and to enhance the institutional strength of our Organization.
Today, we draw the inspiration guiding the work of the Organization of Turkic States from the philosophy of unity bequeathed to us by Ismail Gasprinsky. Buoyed by the strength of our shared history and culture, the influence of our Organization—whose foundation was laid in Nakhchivan—is growing day by day. The task ahead is now to strengthen our brotherhood with robust institutions that will carry it into future generations. The time has also come to transform our collective will into long-term successes through concrete projects.
Profound transformations are reshaping world politics. The international system struggles to ensure justice and trust, while wars and crises impact vast regions. Under these conditions, solidarity is a strategic necessity for the Turkic states. The Turkic states, united around a collective will to overcome the gravest tests and determine their own future, possess more than enough strength. We build our unity on the basis of respecting the sovereignty, independence, and national will of each brotherly nation. This growth will be supported by mutual trust and common interests, alongside our shared values.
In the period ahead, the economic integration of the Turkic world stands among the primary areas to which our Organization must dedicate meticulous attention. A historic opportunity in this regard is presented by the Trans-Caspian East-West Middle Corridor. At a time when trade between Asia and Europe is being reshaped, the region where Turkic countries are situated can become one of the vital hubs of global transport and logistics networks. Within the integrated system we are developing, our rail, port, and highway connections, as well as customs systems, will complement one another. Every investment connecting the two shores of the Caspian Sea will contribute to the expansion of trade and our shared prosperity among our brotherly nations.
We will advance toward this goal by utilizing the capabilities of the Turkic Investment Fund more effectively. Through joint efforts, we will eliminate trade barriers between our countries and multiply each other’s strength in production and investment. We will ensure that our energy resources, renewable energy potential, and communication infrastructure are utilized with maximum efficiency to achieve our common objectives. With the aim of jointly amplifying our achievements in production, trade, and technology, we will align the capabilities across every corner of the Turkic world toward the same direction.
In the realm of security, we approach our work with the same steadfastness characteristic of the solidarity we have fostered in the economy. To develop our capacity for joint action, we will combine our capabilities against terrorism, cross-border crime, cyber threats, and natural disasters. We will ensure the growth of our joint production capacity in the defense industry by combining our experiences and advancing our local and national technologies.
The realization that we belong to a common civilization provides the most precious support for our unity. The richness of that same great civilization, transcending geographical boundaries, is reflected in the wisdom of Hoja Ahmet Yasawi, the eloquence of Alisher Navoi, the spiritual depth of Nizami Ganjavi, the verses of Magtymguly Pyragy, the heartfelt language of Yunus Emre, and the pen of Chingiz Aitmatov. Each of these is a beacon shedding light on the future of that shared wealth.
Along the path toward cultural convergence, we took a historic step through our demonstrated will regarding a common Turkic alphabet. To advance this initiative further, we will expand our cooperation in education, science, publishing, and digital technologies. We will encourage our youth to pursue education in brotherly countries and ensure the coming together of our universities and scholars. We will also guarantee that Turkic languages claim their rightful place in the era of artificial intelligence. To shape the future of the Turkic world together, we will pool our knowledge, accumulated experience, and capabilities.
Embracing our brotherhood under any circumstances and defending each other’s rights and laws is a duty imposed upon us by this deep-rooted civilization. This very mindset underpins our continued solidarity with the Turkish Cypriot people, who are an integral part of the Turkic world. For us, expanding the opportunities unlocked by the observer status of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) within our Organization and strengthening its ties with brotherly nations is of special significance. Our resolute stance remains unchanged: the unjust isolation imposed on Turkish Cypriots must end, and their sovereign equality and equal international status must be recognized.
The growing power of the Organization of Turkic States will likewise serve to reinforce peace and mutual trust within our shared region. Guided by cooperation and solidarity, our Organization will continue to contribute to the strengthening of regional and global stability.
To achieve long-term success in the economy, politics, culture, and technology, we must translate our collective will into concrete results. This is the primary task before the Organization of Turkic States. As our grand objectives—which bring tangible benefits to the peace, prosperity, and development of our brotherly peoples—are realized, our strength will likewise grow.
I wholeheartedly believe that the 21st century will be the “Century of the Turkic World.” The Ankara Summit will open new horizons leading toward this goal; through it, the influence of our Organization in the international arena will increase, and the solidarity among our brotherly nations will grow even stronger. The greatest duty that falls upon us is to celebrate our philosophy of unity—which we have kept alive in our hearts for centuries—through enduring achievements, and to leave behind an even more powerful Turkic world in every respect for future generations. /// nCa, 29 October 2026 (based on Turkmen language version provided by Turkish Embassy in Ashgabat)