The author is an Representative of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan on special assignments.

ISTANBUL

Strengthening the Organization of Turkic States and cooperation within the Organization is among the main priorities on the foreign policy agenda of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The Organization of Turkic States is an international organization distinguished by its uniqueness. Not only common interests, mutual benefits or integration goals connect the member states of this Organization, as in other regional organizations. It is based on our common history, common language, culture and traditions. Therefore, relations between member states and peoples of the Organization of Turkic States are the relations of brotherhood.

Common goal: To become a global power center

Azerbaijan has always contributed to the unity of the Turkic world and will continue to be dedicated to this unity. As the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan H.E. Ilham Aliyev said at his inauguration ceremony held on February 14, 2024, the Organization of Turkic States "is the main international organization for us, because it is our family. We have no other family. Our family is the Turkic world." As known, the Organization of Turkic States, which was established with the signing of the Nakhchivan Agreement in 2009, within more than 14 years of its existence, has managed to create cooperation platforms in various fields, including political, economic, transport, energy, culture, education, health, digital transformation, tourism areas. Under the umbrella of the Organization, the cooperation between the Turkic states in bilateral and multilateral formats has been regularly and systematically continued and strengthened year by year. However, the current international security challenges, conflicts, political and socio-economic crises in the world emphasize the need of each state to protect its stability and well-being. From this point of view, it is important for the brotherly Turkic states to unite more closely, strengthen their solidarity and finally, to act as a single power.

Strengthening the security and stability of our countries situated in the region, which is surrounded by threats and challenges from all sides, requires the implementation of geopolitical diversification and transformation. The current geostrategic situation allows development in this direction, and today we have the most favorable conditions for relations between the Turkic states to enter a qualitatively new stage. It is the historical mission of the 21st century Turkic ideology that the Turkic world, as a decisive factor of geostrategy with its powerful presence in the geography covering the Caspian Sea, the Black Sea and the Mediterranean, has an important role in determining the new global order. As the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan H.E. Ilham Aliyev said, "our policy is to strengthen the Organization of Turkic States. It is a large geography, a large territory, a large military power, a large economy, natural resources, transportation routes, a young population, a growing population, and peoples with the same roots. Can there be a stronger union than this? Of course, not. We must make joint efforts so that the Organization of Turkic States becomes a power center in the global arena. We can achieve this only together." These wise and visionary views of the Azerbaijan head of state are of a strategic nature and are an exceptionally important call for closer unity of the Turkic world.

The importance of cooperation among Turkic states

At the current stage, it is appropriate to create a mechanism that will ensure mutual assistance in the field of security and defense between the Turkic states. Combining our efforts in this direction will serve to strengthen the sovereignty and independence of our countries, their stability and development, and at the same time will make an important contribution to peace, stability and security in the world. At the same time, it should be noted that the Turkic world is a peaceful community that serves development and stability. Cooperation and integration among our states, as well as mutual activity in the field of security and defense, are not directed against any state or union of states. Effective development of transport and communication infrastructures of the Turkic countries located on the Middle Corridor connecting Asia with Europe, simplification and harmonization of customs and transit procedures will contribute to increasing the trade and transit potential of the region. The comprehensive implementation of cooperation projects in the field of economy, industry and finance will ensure the facilitated flow of goods and services among the Turkic states, as well as increase the production and export capabilities of our region. For the healthy development of our people and societies, it is necessary to use the medical potential to the maximum. In this context, it is important to take concrete steps in the direction of the exchange of knowledge, experience and technology between the brotherly Turkic states, and the establishment of mechanisms that will allow the application of advanced healthcare facilities.

Up to %40 of the population of Turkic states consists of young people. Strengthening the intellectual potential of the Turkic world, institutional interaction in the field of education, and the integration of advanced educational practices into the educational systems of all Turkic states should be our main goal. Along with this, the formation of a mutually coordinated common information space in the Turkic region that meets the challenges of the modern era, as well as ensuring effective joint action and cooperation in the field of cyber security, are also significant tasks. It is also important to protect and promote the Turkic cultural heritage, and at the same time, to carry out joint activities in the direction of promoting this heritage at the international level, and to take a unified and joint position at the relevant international institutions in this regard. The political will of our leaders allows the strengthening of the Organization of Turkic States and the implementation of activities aimed at achieving concrete results in the directions above mentioned. The strengthening of our unity as a result of the joint activities of our states and peoples will create conditions for the Turkic world to become one of the leading power centers in the world.

*Opinions expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Anadolu