Turkic states press on with Asia-Europe transport projects as new opportunities emerge

Turkic states set out plans to deepen cooperation on transport, energy and trade at a summit in Ankara as the ongoing crisis in the Middle East continues raising new opportunities for the Turkic states.

In a surprise move during the summit, Kazakhastan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev suggested inviting Russia to participate in the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) through its OTS Plus format or as an observer, “in order to enhance the standing and credibility of our Organisation."

The proposal was made at the organisation's 13th summit hosted by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, which concluded with the adoption of the Ankara Declaration. No agreement on Russia's participation was announced.

The OTS comprises Turkey, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan and is an alliance promoting economic and political cooperation among member states. The gathering also included Turkmenistan's President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, representing an observer state, while Azerbaijan was represented by Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov. Turkey assumed the organisation's rotating chairmanship from Azerbaijan.

Erdoğan calls for digital cooperation

Erdoğan stressed the importance of unity among Turkic states amid growing geopolitical uncertainty, but focused much of his address on practical cooperation in cybersecurity, space technologies and digital trade.

He proposed a common digital trade platform and a shared Turkic large language model covering the Oghuz, Kipchak and Karluk language groups.

The Ankara Declaration called for progress on a cybersecurity agreement and consultations on establishing an OTS Cybersecurity Council. It welcomed the completion of a joint 12U CubeSat and the signing of a framework agreement on space-industry cooperation.

Erdoğan also backed contacts between Azerbaijan and Armenia aimed at lasting peace in the South Caucasus and called for diplomatic solutions to regional tensions.

Uzbekistan proposes 100 joint investment projects

Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev called for expanding the OTS's international partnerships through an “Organization of Turkic States Plus” format involving third countries.

“The standing and prestige of the Organization in the international arena also depend on its ability to develop open and mutually beneficial relations with external partners,” he said.

He proposed the “Turkic World – 100” programme, encompassing 100 strategic joint investment and industrial projects, with an emphasis on technological cooperation.

“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,” Mirziyoyev said.

On transport connectivity, he called for transforming the Middle Corridor and connected routes into an integrated economic system, supported by jointly managed logistics hubs.

His other proposals included a multilateral agreement on mutual legal assistance in commercial matters, a Turkic Tourism Alliance and simplified cross-border travel using national identity cards.

Kazakhstan highlights Middle Corridor and security

Tokayev highlighted the growing importance of the Middle Corridor, which connects Central Asia with Europe through the Caspian Sea and the South Caucasus. He reported that freight volumes along the route had increased by 30% during the first nine months of the year, while transit shipments had risen by 90%. Rail freight between Kazakhstan and OTS countries had approached 40 million tonnes.

For European markets, the route offers an alternative to transport links crossing Russia, although port capacity, border procedures and infrastructure gaps remain significant constraints.

The declaration also highlighted the China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan and proposed Trans-Afghan railways, endorsed closer customs cooperation and encouraged a common transport corridors strategy.

Tokayev also called for closer coordination on cybersecurity and reiterated that the organisation should not become a military bloc.

“The Organization of Turkic States is not and in the future should not turn into a military alliance. This is Kazakhstan's position,” he said.

Azerbaijan and regional relations

Azerbaijan's Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov also addressed his country's role in energy infrastructure, digital links and the Middle Corridor, while supporting closer international engagement and efforts to secure OTS observer status at the UN General Assembly.

Addressing relations with Armenia, he said Azerbaijan's restoration of its territorial integrity had opened a new phase in the South Caucasus.

“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,” Bayramov said.

Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov stressed the need to connect the China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railway with the Middle Corridor and proposed hosting an informal OTS summit on 5-6 August 2027.

Serdar Berdimuhamedov said Turkmenistan was ready to use the infrastructure of its Turkmenbashi port to expand transit across the Caspian Sea and called for closer cooperation in energy, industry and agriculture.

Bilateral meetings

Ahead of the summit, Erdoğan held separate bilateral talks with the presidents of Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan.

Turkey and Uzbekistan signed agreements to establish a High-Level Business Support Council, expand preferential trade arrangements, strengthen social security cooperation and improve customs information exchange.

During separate talks with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Erdoğan reaffirmed the two countries' ambition to increase bilateral trade to $15bn (approximately €13.5bn). The leaders also discussed further cooperation in transport, energy, investment, artificial intelligence and the defence industry, building on agreements signed earlier this year.

The summit named Uzbekistan's Mirvokhid Azimov as the incoming OTS secretary general, succeeding Kubanychbek Omuraliev, and selected Uzbekistan to host its next summit in 2027.