Türkiye's President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Friday called for greater efforts to transform the Turkic world into a major hub for trade, transport, and energy, highlighting the strategic importance of the Middle Corridor.
"We can make the Turkic world a major trade, transport, and energy hub, with the Middle Corridor shaping future trade," Erdoğan told the 13th Summit of Heads of State of the Organization of Turkic States in the capital Ankara.
Noting that Türkiye celebrated the 103rd anniversary of its republic on Thursday, Erdoğan thanked the participating leaders for joining the celebrations.
He said this year's summit theme, Turkic Century: Unity in Language, Thought and Deed, was inspired by the late Turkic intellectual and Turkologist Ismail Gasprinski.
"For us, unity in language means preserving and developing our common heritage and being able to understand one another directly. Unity in thought means coming together around common goals and developing a shared strategy. Unity in action means turning our words into deeds, our determination into achievements and our decisions into results," he said.
Erdoğan also announced that Türkiye had taken over the rotating chairmanship of the organization from Azerbaijan, thanking Baku for its efforts during its tenure.
He pledged to build on the organization's institutional achievements and promote greater cooperation in cultural activities, language, and travel among member states.
Emphasizing the importance of unity, Erdoğan said there was "no room for division or discord in the Turkic world."
"We are united, we stand together, and we will remain brothers forever," he added.
Erdoğan also expressed confidence that the organization's Family and Women's Council would strengthen its ties with the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, while voicing hope that Turkmenistan would soon become a full member of the organization.
Turning to regional developments, Erdoğan said a peaceful and stable South Caucasus would offer significant opportunities for regional countries and the entire Turkic world.
He expressed support for Azerbaijan's ongoing talks with Armenia, reaffirming Türkiye's commitment to contributing to lasting peace.
On Iran, Erdoğan said Ankara hoped renewed tensions would be resolved through diplomacy rather than military confrontation.
Addressing the situation in Palestine, Erdoğan urged Turkic states to step up efforts toward a just solution to the Palestinian issue.
He called for greater contributions to ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza and the swift launch of reconstruction efforts.
The Turkish president also reiterated support for establishing an independent, sovereign Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Erdoğan also highlighted the importance of strengthening cooperation in cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, digital trade, and space technologies.
Describing cybersecurity as vital as land, air, and maritime security, he called for the swift signing and implementation of a memorandum on cybersecurity cooperation.
He said member states could bring their markets together through a common digital trade platform, while accelerating work on a joint satellite project.
Erdoğan also called on member countries to contribute to the development of a large Turkic language model covering the Oghuz, Kipchak, and Karluk language groups.
He said Türkiye's chairmanship would prioritize implementing an artificial intelligence and digital development action plan focused on concrete results.
The Turkish president also invited fellow leaders to attend the COP31 Leaders' Summit, scheduled for Nov. 11-12 in the southern Turkish city of Antalya.
Concluding his remarks, Erdoğan thanked outgoing Secretary General Kubanychbek Omuraliev for his service since 2022 and wished incoming Secretary General Mirvahid Azimov success.
He described Türkiye's assumption of the organization's chairmanship as a "significant responsibility," pledging to fulfill its duties.
Following his opening remarks at the summit, Erdoğan gave the floor to the visiting heads of state and officials.
After the speeches, Erdoğan announced the conclusion of the summit.
"With the Ankara Declaration adopted and the decisions taken today, we have outlined concrete steps guided by our motto, 'Unity in Language, Thought and Deed.' I thank each of you for your valuable contributions, constructive approaches, and the spirit of brotherhood you have demonstrated," Erdoğan concluded.
