BAKU, Azerbaijan

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev stressed the importance of strengthening and unifying the Turkic world at a meeting Thursday with high-ranking parliamentary officials of the Organization of Turkic States.

Aliyev highlighted Azerbaijan's commitment to bolstering relations with Turkic states as a key foreign policy priority during the meeting with parliamentary officials from Türkiye, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and Hungary.

He noted that the Turkic world, with its vast geography and potential, including transportation routes, energy resources, human capital and a growing population, holds great power.

He emphasized the need to transform this potential into a global power through unified efforts. Aliyev expressed confidence that this unity would strengthen further with practical steps.

Suggesting all the problems around the world will be solved through consultations with the Organization of Turkic States in the future, Aliyev noted that this unity poses no threat to others but aims to defend everyone's rights and support mutual interests.

Underscoring the TRNC’s historical and cultural ties with the Turkic world, Aliyev pointed to Azerbaijan's active diplomatic efforts to support its full membership in the Organization of Turkic States.

*Writing by Yasin Gungor in Istanbul