OTS chief: Gabala summit to prioritise economic agenda and transport connectivity

The upcoming summit of the Organisation of Turkic States (OTS) will focus on establishing a new “OTS+” cooperation format aimed at engaging with countries outside the organisation, according to OTS Secretary General Kubanychbek Omuraliyev.

Speaking in an interview with Kazakh media, Omuraliyev said the decision to introduce the “OTS+” framework is intended to broaden the organisation’s scope of interaction.

“It will be decided to expand cooperation within our organization. There will be a format called OTS+ (Organization of Turkic States Plus), which will enable collaboration with third countries. I want to emphasize right away — we are not talking about closed or military blocs, as some journalists sometimes try to interpret. This is not true,” Omuraliyev explained.

The Secretary General reiterated that full membership in the Organisation of Turkic States remains limited to countries where Turkic languages hold official status.

Omuraliyev noted that while security issues have traditionally been a central topic at previous OTS summits, the upcoming gathering will primarily emphasise economic cooperation.

“This time, the main emphasis will still be on the economy. The economic agenda includes transportation, logistics, and infrastructure connectivity — these are strategic areas for all our countries,” he said.

Highlighting the growing strategic importance of regional transport routes, Omuraliyev underlined that the development of the Middle Corridor — a transcontinental trade route connecting Asia and Europe — will be a major focus.

“If earlier most cargo moved along the Northern route, now an increasing volume is being redirected to the Middle Corridor, which passes through Kazakhstan. We expect that 15 million tons more cargo will be transported via this route than before. Moreover, the delivery time will be reduced to two weeks. This represents a significant advantage and a major contribution to the region’s economy,” he emphasized.

The OTS summit, hosted this year in the city of Gabala, Azerbaijan, is being held under the theme “Regional Peace and Security.”

The event brings together the Heads of State and Government of OTS member and observer countries, along with their respective delegations. Participants are expected to discuss key regional and international developments, deepen economic and political cooperation, and adopt decisions and joint declarations aimed at strengthening unity, stability, and prosperity across the Turkic world.

By Tamilla Hasanova