Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan published an article titled "Century of the Turkic World: From Solidarity to Integration" simultaneously in leading media outlets across member and observer states of the Organisation of Turkic States (OTS) ahead of the organisation's 13th Summit to be held in Ankara. The article appeared in Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), Turkmenistan and Hungary on the same day.
Erdoğan devoted a specific section of the article to the situation of Turkish Cypriots. "We continue our solidarity with the Turkish Cypriot people, who are an inseparable part of the Turkic world," he wrote, adding that Turkey attaches great importance to expanding the opportunities provided by the TRNC's observer status within the OTS and to strengthening its ties with brotherly nations. He also reiterated Ankara's commitment to ending the unjust isolation of Turkish Cypriots and securing recognition of their sovereign equality and equal international status.
Describing the upcoming summit, themed "Turkic Century: Unity in Language, Thought and Action," as a gathering that will further consolidate shared resolve, Erdoğan said Turkey views the rotating presidency it will assume from Azerbaijan as a historic responsibility. Noting that solidarity among Turkic states has become a strategic necessity in an era of deepening global crises, he stated: "Turkic states united around a common will possess the strength to overcome the most challenging tests and shape their own futures."
On economic integration, Erdoğan highlighted the opportunities offered by the Trans-Caspian East-West Middle Corridor, calling for the coordinated development of railways, ports, road links and customs systems. He announced that the Turkic Investment Fund will be used more effectively, trade barriers will be dismantled and joint energy and communications infrastructure will be developed toward common goals. On security, he said joint capacity against terrorism, cross-border crime, cyber threats and natural disasters will be enhanced, alongside experience-sharing in the defence industry and co-production based on indigenous technologies.
Addressing cultural and educational cooperation, Erdoğan called the common Turkic alphabet initiative a historic step and pledged to encourage youth exchange programmes, strengthen ties between universities and researchers, and ensure Turkic languages claim their rightful place in the age of artificial intelligence. Closing his article with the words "I wholeheartedly believe that the 21st century will be the century of the Turkic world," Erdoğan expressed confidence that the Ankara Summit will boost the OTS's international standing and deepen solidarity among brotherly nations.
