Azerbaijani FM highlights economic, military, cultural priorities of OTS

Economic cooperation, security collaboration, and digital innovation were high on the agenda at the 12th Summit of the Council of Heads of State of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS), according to Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov.

Speaking at a press briefing following the summit, Bayramov stated that economic cooperation was reaffirmed as a top priority for the OTS, alongside growing partnerships in artificial intelligence, space technologies, and digital transformation, Caliber.Az reports per local media.

“The economic cooperation was defined as one of the key priorities for the Organization of Turkic States [OTS]. The participants also expressed support for collaboration in artificial intelligence, space technologies, and digital transformation,” Bayramov said.

On the security front, Bayramov revealed that member states agreed to continue consultations and enhance military and defence industry ties.

“It is no coincidence that President Ilham Aliyev, taking into account the extensive military and security cooperation among the Turkic states, proposed holding a joint military drill of OTS member states in Azerbaijan in 2026,” he added.

The summit, held under Azerbaijan’s presidency of the organisation, also underscored the importance of political dialogue, economic integration, and joint action on regional and global challenges. Transport, energy security, and cultural cooperation were also among the key areas discussed.

“On the sidelines of the 12th Summit of the Council of Heads of State of the OTS, the participants had a broad exchange of views on enhancing and improving political dialogue, strengthening economic integration, promoting transport and energy security, expanding cultural, humanitarian relations among Turkic states, as well as the importance of joint action against regional and global challenges,” Bayramov said.

He noted that member states expressed confidence in the strengthening of Turkic unity under Azerbaijan’s leadership over the coming year.

“The participants highly appreciated the Shusha Global Media Forum and other initiatives implemented by Azerbaijan,” Bayramov said, adding that a proposal was made to organise an event marking the 100th anniversary of the 1926 Baku Turkological Congress — a key moment in the transition to the Latin alphabet among Turkic peoples.

Cultural initiatives were also recognized at the summit, including the 2026 Shaki Crafts Festival, which was acknowledged as a valuable platform for promoting cultural integration.

Support was expressed for increased cooperation in diaspora affairs, education, youth engagement, media, and culture — areas seen as key to reinforcing people-to-people ties across the Turkic world, he noted.

By Sabina Mammadli