Ankara Summit Reinforces Turkic Cooperation Amid Transport and Digital Push

On October 30 2026, the 13th heads-of-state summit of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) concluded in Ankara with the signing of the Ankara Declaration. The gathering was hosted by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and brought together the leaders of Turkey, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and observer Turkmenistan. Key outcomes included a pledge to deepen cooperation on transport, energy, trade and digital technologies, the launch of a “Turkic World – 100” programme for 100 joint investment projects, and the appointment of Mirvokhid Azimov (Uzbekistan) as the incoming OTS secretary-general. No agreement was reached on the proposal by Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to invite Russia as an observer.

EuronewsTurkic states sign Ankara Declaration, Türkiye takes helm

The OTS, originally the Turkic Council founded in 2009 and renamed in 2021, aims to promote political and economic integration among Turkic-speaking states. Turkey assumed the rotating chairmanship from Azerbaijan at the Ankara summit, positioning the bloc to capitalize on its “bridge” geography between Asia and Europe. The Middle Corridor—a rail-sea route linking China, Central Asia, the Caspian Sea, Turkey and European markets—has become a focal point as shippers seek alternatives to routes crossing Russia.

Turkic states sign Ankara Declaration, Türkiye takes helm Euronews

• Freight volumes on the Middle Corridor rose 30 % in the first nine months of 2026, while overall transit shipments increased 90 %.

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• Rail freight between Kazakhstan and other OTS members approached 40 million tonnes.

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• Turkey and Uzbekistan set a short-term target of $5 billion in annual trade, building on a 2024-2025 bilateral trade volume of roughly $3.1 billion.

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• The “Turkic World – 100” programme envisions 100 strategic joint investment projects with an emphasis on technology and green-energy equipment.

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Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov described the restoration of Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity as creating “a de-facto state of peace” and urged Armenia to move toward a peace treaty. Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov proposed linking the China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railway with the Middle Corridor and suggested an informal OTS summit on 5-6 August 2027.

EuronewsTurkic states sign Ankara Declaration, Türkiye takes helm

• “Priority should be given to the full processing of rare and strategic minerals, the localization of production of equipment for green energy, and the manufacture of high-value added products,” — Shavkat Mirziyoyev, projects uzbek president

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• “A de-facto state of peace exists in the region. Nevertheless, we expect Armenia to take the necessary political and legal steps towards the signing of a peace treaty,” — Jeyhun Bayramov, foreign minister

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• “I sincerely believe that the 21st century will be the ‘Century of the Turkic World,'” — Recep Tayyip Erdogan, turkish president

Turkic states sign Ankara Declaration, Türkiye takes helm

Kyrgyz President Japarov’s proposal sets an informal OTS summit for 5-6 August 2027, aiming to advance railway integration. Uzbekistan will host the next full OTS summit in 2027, continuing the bloc’s agenda under Turkey’s chairmanship. The High-Level Business Support Council established between Turkey and Uzbekistan is expected to facilitate the targeted $5 billion trade volume and expand cooperation in trade, social security and customs information exchange.

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These developments signal a coordinated effort by Turkic states to strengthen transport corridors, digital infrastructure and joint investment, while maintaining a non-military character for the organization.

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