30.10.2026 14:41
Following the 13th Summit of the Organization of Turkic States, hosted by Türkiye, the Ankara Declaration was published. In the declaration, while it was decided to increase cooperation in the fields of defense industry, transportation, energy, and cybersecurity, the examination of the option of creating special passenger lanes for citizens at member countries' airports drew attention. While support was expressed for common Turkic alphabet efforts, the emphasis on the equal rights of the Turkish Cypriot people also stood out.
Following the 13th Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS), held in Ankara under Türkiye's hosting, the Ankara Declaration was published. The declaration included important topics such as strengthening transport corridors, increasing cooperation in the defense industry and cybersecurity, supporting the equal rights of the Turkish Cypriot people, and advancing work on the common Turkic alphabet. Among the notable items was the examination of the possibility of creating dedicated passenger lanes for citizens at member countries' airports.
LEADERS OF THE TURKIC WORLD MET IN ANKARA
The 13th Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Organization of Turkic States was held under Türkiye's hosting with the theme 'Turkic Century: Unity in Language, Thought, and Work'.
Within the scope of the summit, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus Tufan Erhürman, Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov, and OTS Secretary General Kubanychbek Omuraliev were hosted at the Presidential Complex.
In the Ankara Declaration issued after the summit, the Turkic states' commitment to the principles of sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity, inviolability of international borders, and non-interference in internal affairs was once again confirmed.
It was stated that Türkiye, which took over the term presidency of the Organization from Azerbaijan, will continue this duty until the next summit.
DEDICATED LANES AT AIRPORTS FOR CITIZENS OF TURKIC STATES
One of the notable items in the declaration was regulations aimed at facilitating travel among member countries.
In this context, it was decided to examine the possibility of creating dedicated passenger lanes for citizens at member states' airports.
In addition, it was adopted to increase cooperation on reducing bureaucratic procedures at border crossings and ports and on expanding the electronic consignment note system e-CMR.
SUPPORT FOR THE ZANGEZUR CORRIDOR AND RAILWAY PROJECTS
In the Ankara Declaration, attention was drawn to the strategic position of the Turkic world between East and West, and emphasis was placed on strengthening the Trans-Caspian International East-West Middle Corridor.
The leaders announced their support for operating the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway line at full capacity, implementing the Zangezur Corridor and the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway projects, and integrating these routes into the Middle Corridor.
An invitation was extended for other member states to join the Middle Corridor Cooperation Agreement signed between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan on October 15, 2026.
While attention was drawn to the importance of the Trans-Afghan Railway project, which will provide connectivity between Central and South Asia, in regional trade, the preparation of the OTS Transport Corridors Strategy was encouraged.
ESTABLISHMENT OF A DEFENSE INDUSTRY COLLEGE IN TÜRKİYE ON THE AGENDA
Cooperation in the field of security and defense was also discussed at the summit.
In the declaration, it was emphasized that the common fight against terrorism, separatism, extremism, drug and arms trafficking, and transnational organized crime will continue.
The proposal to establish an 'OTS Defense Industry College' program under Türkiye's hosting was taken onto the agenda.
In the field of cybersecurity, it was requested to accelerate work on signing the Memorandum of Understanding on Cybersecurity and Cyber Cooperation and on operationalizing the OTS Cybersecurity Council.
SUPPORT FOR THE EQUAL RIGHTS OF THE TURKISH CYPRIOT PEOPLE
The leaders stated that the Cyprus issue should be resolved on the basis of the realities on the ground and within a negotiated framework based on mutual agreement.
In the Ankara Declaration, support for the equal rights of the Turkish Cypriot people was also reiterated.
In the declaration, which addressed the humanitarian situation in Gaza, a call was made for the full implementation of UN Security Council resolution 2803 and the Comprehensive Plan. The necessity of a two-state solution based on the 1967 borders in the Palestinian issue was emphasized.
While support was expressed for Syria's territorial integrity and reconstruction, it was noted that the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan is also being closely followed.
COOPERATION ON ENERGY CORRIDORS AND CRITICAL MINERALS
In the field of energy, attention was drawn to the strategic importance of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan and Southern Gas Corridor projects.
The leaders announced their support for the Central Asia-Azerbaijan Green Energy Corridor and the Caspian-Black Sea-Europe energy lines.
The peaceful use of nuclear energy and the exploration of new partnership opportunities regarding critical minerals were also included in the declaration.
PRODUCTION OF THE TURKIC STATES' JOINT SATELLITE COMPLETED
Within the scope of cooperation in space technologies, it was announced that production of the 12U 'OTS-SAT' cubesat has been completed.
This development was among the joint projects of the Turkic states in the fields of technology and space.
WORK ON THE COMMON TURKIC ALPHABET WILL CONTINUE
The Ankara Declaration also gave wide coverage to cultural and academic cooperation.
The Common Turkic Alphabet, Common History, and Common Terminology work carried out by the Turkic Academy was welcomed with appreciation.
In addition, an initiative to establish a 'Turkic World Higher Education Area' was included in the declaration.
It was stated that work will continue on the establishment of permanent representations by member states to the OTS, and that diplomatic initiatives will be taken for the Organization to gain observer status at the UN General Assembly and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.
2027 SUMMIT TO BE HELD IN UZBEKISTAN
In the declaration, it was decided that the 14th OTS Summit, planned for 2027, will be held in Uzbekistan.
It was announced that the Informal Summit to be held the same year will take place in Kyrgyzstan.
Meanwhile, it was reported that Mirvokhid Azimov will take over the duty of OTS Secretary General in the new term after Kubanychbek Omuraliev.