Baku September 29, 2025
Azerbaijan’s pivotal role in the Turkic world was underscored at a major conference in the capital titled “The Organization of Turkic States as a Regional Actor in an Era of Global Uncertainty.”
Senior officials, diplomats, and analysts from across member states stressed Baku’s strategic importance as both a transport hub and political bridge ahead of the October 6–7 OTS summit in Gabala.
Azerbaijan’s bridge role
Deputy Secretary General of the OTS Omer Kojaman recalled that the founding Nakhchivan Declaration was signed in Azerbaijan. “Today Azerbaijan plays the role of a bridge in the Turkic world,” he said, noting that discussions in Baku will feed directly into the upcoming summit.
Chairman of the Center of Analysis of International Relations (AIR Center) Farid Shafiyev highlighted Baku’s contribution to the South Caucasus peace process, expressing confidence in an eventual peace treaty with Armenia. He argued the opening of the Zangezur Corridor would benefit Armenia and strengthen transport and energy links across the Turkic space.
Calls for unity amid global turmoil
Speakers from Turkey, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan pointed to global risks — from the war in Ukraine to unrest in the Middle East — and argued that OTS solidarity is more crucial than ever.
Turkish Foreign Ministry analyst Turhan Dilmac said the bloc’s cohesion was visible during the Second Karabakh War: “The victory of Azerbaijan changed perceptions in Kazakh society. Support from brotherly states matters greatly.”
Kazakh experts emphasized the Middle Corridor project as a flagship initiative, aiming to cut China–Europe delivery times to 10–15 days, twice as fast as by sea. Uzbek representatives backed expanding trade under President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s proposals and confirmed plans for an OTS economic forum in Tashkent in November.
North Cyprus perspective
President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus Ersin Tatar also praised Azerbaijan’s peacemaking efforts, framing ties between Ankara, Baku and Lefkosa as “one nation, three states.” He confirmed he will attend the Gabala summit next month at President Ilham Aliyev’s invitation.
Combating disinformation
Shafiyev also warned of disinformation campaigns targeting both Azerbaijan and the OTS, saying certain global actors were attempting to undermine the organization’s agenda.
Looking ahead
Analysts agreed that the OTS, born in Nakhchivan 14 years ago, is evolving into a stronger regional bloc. From cultural ties to transport corridors, participants portrayed the grouping less as a traditional international body and more as a “family of states” bound by shared history and geography.
