President Erdoğan spoke at the 10th Summit of the Council of Heads of State of the Organization of Turkic States
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan made a speech at the 10th Summit of the Heads of State of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS), hosted under the theme of ‘Turk Time’ by President Kassym-Jomart K. Tokayev of Kazakhstan at the Akorda Presidential Palace in Astana.
President Erdoğan began his speech by offering his condolences over the coalmine fire in Kazakhstan’s Karaganda region, wishing mercy on those who lost their lives.
“IT IS IMPORTANT FOR ARMENIA TO FULFILL ITS RESPONSIBILITIES TOWARDS AZERBAIJAN”
Pointing out that the Turkic world’s unity and solidarity is the most important weapon in confronting global and regional challenges, President Erdoğan said: “No power can subdue the hearts that beat together. We have seen and continue to see this reality in many recent incidents. The brotherly Azerbaijan has brought an end to the occupation, which continued for over 30 years in Karabakh, following the Patriotic War. We take great pride and joy in this historic achievement. We have therefore come one step closer to permanent peace in our region. It is our biggest wish that this window of opportunity, which has now opened up, may be used. It is important for Armenia to fulfill its responsibilities towards Azerbaijan. In this regard, implementing the transportation corridors that will connect Azerbaijan’s western regions with Nakhchivan is of vital importance. The inauguration of that corridor will not only contribute greatly to the prosperity of the countries in the entire region, but will also link Türkiye to the Central Asia, our fatherland. In order for this process to be finalized successfully, we, as the Turkish world, should maintain our strong support to the brotherly Azerbaijan.”
“AN UNPRECEDENTED HUMANITARIAN TRAGEDY IS UNFOLDING IN PALESTINE”
“Our culture and civilization advise us to observe justice, reach out to the oppressed, and speak up in the face of injustices. An unprecedented humanitarian tragedy is unfolding in Palestine before the eyes of the entire world. Hospitals, schools, mosques, churches and refugee camps are being bombed. Innocent children are being massacred mercilessly. There are no words that can justify what we have been witnessing since October 7. To be clear, crimes against humanity have been being committed in Gaza for exactly 28 days. As Türkiye, we have displayed a principled and humanitarian stance since this crisis first erupted. We have been telling at every opportunity that we do not approve of acts that target civilians. Our priority is the declaration of humanitarian ceasefire rapidly. We have been working on new mechanisms, as well, that could ensure security for everyone regardless of whether they are Muslims, Christians or Jews,” said the President.
President Erdoğan continued his remarks as follows: “Our endeavors continue to lay the foundation of an International Peace Conference. We have sent 10 planeloads of humanitarian aid supplies to Gaza so far, and will continue to send more as circumstances on the ground allow. Acting in unity and solidarity as the Turkic world will pave the way first for a ceasefire and then permanent peace. The stance we are to display as the Organization of Turkic States will also set an example for other organizations.”
Stressing that the Russia-Ukraine war’s repercussions in such areas as energy, food and transportation affect the entire world negatively,” President Erdoğan said: “As Türkiye, we will continue our efforts for the establishment of a just peace. Achieving a sustainable peace in Afghanistan will facilitate permanent peace and prosperity in the entire continent beyond the Central Asia. In this regard, the messages we, as the members of the Organization of Turkic States, will send to Afghanistan are of importance.”
Reminding the solidarity Türkiye received from the OTS members following the February 6 twin earthquakes, President Erdoğan stated: “It is impossible to forget the solidarity you displayed in the aftermath of the earthquakes, the disaster of the century, which we experienced on February 6. The entire world stood witness to this solidarity during the Extraordinary Summit we held in Ankara on March 16. With the decision we agreed on in Ankara, we took an important step for the foundation of the OTS Civil Protection Mechanism. We are of the opinion that it is necessary to complete the relevant process and instate the mechanism without any delay.”
Drawing attention to Türkiye’s ongoing efforts for the continuation of the achievements the OTS has obtained thus far, President Erdoğan stated: “The protocol on amending the Nakhchivan Agreement has been ratified by our National Assembly on October 3, the Turkic States Cooperation Day. As of November 1, we have completed the internal ratification process of the protocol. I invite all the member states to take the necessary steps for the implementation of the protocol as soon as possible. Our existing potential in many areas of cooperation such as trade, economy, energy and transportation heralds much more than that for us.”
“WE SHOULD PARTICULARLY FOCUS ON EXPANDING THE TRANSPORTATION NETWORKS AMONG OUR COUNTRIES”
Voicing Türkiye’s wish for the immediate implementation of the Turkic Investment Fund, the foundation agreement of which was signed during the Extraordinary Summit in Ankara, President Erdoğan stated: “The agreement related to this issue was ratified at our Parliament the day before yesterday. Mega-projects in energy and transportation infrastructure have always featured among the top areas of cooperation among the Turkic States. Among concrete examples are the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan Crude Oil Pipeline, Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum Natural Gas Pipeline, and Trans-Anatolia Pipeline.”
Carrying the Caspian natural gas to Türkiye and Europe will contribute to both Turkic states’ prosperity and Europe’s security, stressed President Erdoğan, adding: “We should particularly focus on expanding the transportation networks among our countries. In line with this understanding, we continue our efforts to launch the Trans-Caspian East-West Middle Corridor. We should strengthen our cooperation to remove the obstacles in the way of transportation and trade, expand transportation networks, and facilitate border crossings and visa procedures.”
“IT IS A SHARED RESPONSIBILITY OF ALL OF US TO ACT IN SOLIDARITY WITH THE TURKISH CYPRIOTS”
Praising the ‘Agreement on the International Combined Freight Transport among the Organization of Turkic States Member States’ and the ‘Transport Connectivity Program’ adopted last year during the Samarkand Summit, President Erdoğan said: “By signing the 2023-2027 Transportation Joint Action Plan today, we will have laid out our roadmap for the new era. Alongside all these areas, we also continue our endeavors to enhance our humanitarian relations based on a common language, culture and history. The importance of unity in language for the strengthening of our cooperation and unity is particularly evident. To first step in this direction is to achieve unity in alphabet. The leaders’ support is of vital importance in this regard. I believe you, my treasured brothers, will make the most of the offers our Council of Higher Education has conveyed to the Secretariat. Our Family Council signed a historic decision during last year’s Samarkand Summit by unanimously giving the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus the observer status. I once again thank you for supporting this decision.”
President Erdoğan further stressed: “Through this decision, the Turkic world has shown it to everyone that the Turkish Cypriots, who do not give up their homeland even though there are isolated, are not alone. It is a shared responsibility of all of us to act in solidarity with the Turkish Cypriots, who are an inseparable part of the grand Turkish family. I believe that we will see the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus among us during our following summit with its observer status in accordance with our previous decision. On this occasion, I would like to reiterate that we also wish to see Turkmenistan, our observer member, as a full member at our Family Council.”
“WE WILL WORK SHOULDER TO SHOULDER TO MAKE THE UPCOMING ERA THE ‘TURK TIME’”
Describing their goal as to make the Turkic world stronger in every area and more resilient in the face of various challenges, President Erdoğan said: “As the leaders, we, in unity and solidarity, should guide the hearts which bear the flag of the Turkic world, towards the vision of a powerful Turkic world. As the Republic of Türkiye, which is marking its 100th anniversary this year, we will continue to take steps for the peace, prosperity and security of the Turkic world. Spreading our vision, the ‘Century of Türkiye’, to the OTS as well, we will work shoulder to shoulder to make the upcoming era the ‘Turk Time’.”
