ASTANA – Astana is scheduled to host the tenth summit of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) on November 3, during which member countries will discuss pressing geopolitical and integration issues.
Photo credit: report.az.
Last month, the organization celebrated the 14th anniversary of its founding. The Nakhchivan Agreement, signed in 2009, established the Turkic Council, which aims to provide a platform for collaboration among all Turkic-speaking states.
The main objective of the formation of the Turkic Council was to deepen cooperation between Turkic-speaking countries and contribute to regional peace and stability. This cooperation is based on a common historical and cultural heritage and on linguistic links.
In 2021, the Turkic Council was officially renamed the Organization of Turkic States during the Eighth Turkic Council Leaders’ Summit in Istanbul.
Amir Bashbayev, head of the analysis and forecasting group of the Institute for Foreign Policy Studies of the Kazakh Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Uzbek political expert Ravshan Nazarov, senior researcher at the Institute of State and Law of the Academy of Sciences, discussed the role of the organization and the agenda of the upcoming summit in separate interviews with the Kazinform news agency.
Important stages of organization
According to Bashbayev, the organization has made substantial progress over the past 14 years in promoting cooperation between Turkic-speaking countries and strengthening the OTS. Notably, the adoption in 2021 of the “Turkish World Vision – 2040” and the subsequent development of roadmaps for its implementation provided considerable impetus to the diversification of OTS activities.
Amir Bashbayev, head of the analysis and forecasting group of the Institute for Foreign Policy Studies of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Photo credit: inform.kz.
“The organization previously functioned primarily as a platform for dialogue. The synergy accumulated over the last few years has propelled it forward. The OTS is now evolving into a union of states keenly interested in developing trade and economic cooperation, as evidenced by its robust growth,” he said.
Intra-trade turnover between OTS member countries increased to $27 billion, up from $21 billion in 2021.
Nazarov echoed the emphasis on economic cooperation and highlighted the dynamic development of multidimensional bilateral cooperation between the OTS countries.
“Kazakhstan is one of the three main trading partners of Uzbekistan, after China and Russia. Trade turnover between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan exceeded $3 billion in the first nine months of this year. Uzbekistan and Turkey have also seen their mutual turnover grow each year, with 370 new joint ventures established in 2022,” he added.
Ravshan Nazarov, Uzbek political scientist and senior researcher at the Institute of State and Law of the Academy of Sciences. Photo credit: inform.kz.
Additionally, Nazarov mentioned ongoing collaborative projects. Plans are underway between Uzbekistan and Hungary to create a poultry breeding hub, introduce an airline and start the production of medicines, components and chemicals. Meanwhile, Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan are exploring partnerships in sectors such as energy, chemicals, transport, machinery and construction.
Bashbayev highlighted the importance of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR) in current cooperation, with China considering creating a new alternative route through the Kyrgyz Republic, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan.
“The potential opening of the Zangezur Corridor in the South Caucasus (a 40 kilometer long transport corridor project proposed by Azerbaijan) could create a unified transport corridor, providing direct access to Turkey via Nakhichevan and significantly increasing commercial turnover between OTS members. country,” he said.
Summit agenda
The next summit, according to Bashbayev, will likely focus on reviewing achievements and discussing future strategies for the organization’s development.
“For example, the issue of unhindered transportation of goods within the framework of Turkish World Vision 2040 is currently being studied,” he said.
Among the documents planned to be discussed at the next summit, Bashbayev highlighted the proposal to establish a civil protection mechanism within the OTS, including the adoption of a legal framework for joint responses to emergency situations. emergency.
Nazarov anticipates a summit agenda centered on the imperative to strengthen unity within the Turkic world in response to complex geopolitical and geo-economic challenges. Discussions will also focus on strengthening political, socio-economic and cultural-humanitarian cooperation.
“Questions related to the formulation of a consolidated position on the current conflict in the Middle East could be raised,” he added.
Another topic on the agenda will be the harmonization of the organization’s activities with other forms of cooperation. To illustrate this positive approach, Nazarov highlighted the participation of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in the fifth consultative meeting of Central Asian heads of state.
The role of Kazakhstan in the OTS
“Kazakhstan traditionally plays an active role in all areas of cooperation within the OTS, including cultural, humanitarian and educational aspects. In the educational field, our country significantly participates in the development of a unified alphabet for Turkic-speaking countries through the Turkish Academy,” Bashbayev said.
He also noted that the preparation of common textbooks on history, geography and literature is underway. According to him, this will allow the next generation to speak a common language, which will be an essential factor in bringing the Turkish peoples together.
“In the current turbulent conditions, states and people with common roots and history should find it easier to unite and cooperate, which will benefit each of them,” he added.
The tragic earthquake in Turkey this year served as a test of solidarity among Turkish states. During this difficult period, all countries showed solidarity and unity, and Kazakhstan was among the first to provide humanitarian aid to the Turkish people.
The prospects of the OTS
“Based on the adopted documents, the organization aims to become economically robust by 2040. By then, all legal frameworks will be in place to implement the four main principles of the OTS: the free movement of goods, services, capital. , and work,” Bashbayev said. This will enable member countries to boost their economies and reduce their dependence on resource-based technologies.
According to him, the fact that Hungary, a member of the European Union, is an observer within the OTS is a positive factor. Together, all members have the potential to establish a solid foundation for transforming the OTS into a regional power that unites the economic, financial, transportation, investment and legal potential of member countries.
Ultimately, Nazarov sees the OTS as a promising project of international integration.
“It is possible that soon the organization will also attract the interest of other states, such as those in the Balkans,” he concluded.