President Aliyev vows constant support for strengthening Organization of Turkic States Bishkek Summit / PHOTO

President Ilham Aliyev has said that Azerbaijan will continue contributing to strengthening the Organisation of Turkic States.

He made the remarks during the Summit of the Council of Heads of State of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on November 6, Caliber.Az reports, citing local media.

President Aliyev highlighted the 15th anniversary of the Nakhchivan Agreement, emphasizing its pivotal role in the establishment of the OTS and the subsequent successful development of the organization.

“This year marks the 15th anniversary of the Nakhchivan Agreement, which laid the foundation for the Organization of Turkic States. The organization has followed a successful path of development during this period,” President Aliyev stated, underscoring the achievements of the Turkic bloc.

He also referred to the Garabagh Declaration, signed at the first informal Summit of Heads of State held in Shusha in July, as a milestone in the OTS’s advancement.

According to President Aliyev, this declaration has further deepened cooperation among member states.

“Azerbaijan will continue its efforts to strengthen the Organization of Turkic States,” President Aliyev affirmed, signalling Azerbaijan’s commitment to fostering closer ties within the Turkic world.

Then President Aliyev touched upon military cooperation among the member countries. 

"Given the growing global threats, our cooperation in defence, security, and the defense industry is of great importance. Recently, cooperation among our law enforcement and security agencies has further expanded," the president said.

He also highlighted the joint military exercises conducted with the participation of the countries' armed forces, noting that the training of cadets from brotherly nations at Azerbaijan’s military education institutions reflects mutual trust and friendship.

Talking about transportation along the Middle Corridor, the head of state said, “Recently, transportation through Azerbaijani territory via the East-West transport corridor has increased even more.”

The president noted a significant rise in transit traffic, with an increase of nearly 15 per cent in the volume of transportation with member and observer states from January to September 2024, compared to the same period in 2023.

Several projects aimed at digitalizing the Middle Corridor and simplifying trade are currently in progress, said President Ilham Aliyev, adding "These projects will enhance logistics efficiency and reduce costs.”

President Aliyev also expressed confidence in OTS’s active participation in the upcoming climate change conference in Baku:

“I am confident that the member countries of the Organization of Turkic States will actively participate in the COP29 conference.”

The president highlighted Azerbaijan's upcoming hosting of the COP29 climate conference, noting that nearly 200 countries had unanimously supported Azerbaijan's candidacy last December.

He described this as a testament to the great respect and support Azerbaijan enjoys in the international community.

On November 5, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev arrived in Bishkek, for the 11th Summit of the Heads of State of the OTS.

Hosted by Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov, the summit gathers presidents of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Türkiye and Uzbekistan. The summit is set to provide a vital platform for high-level discussions on the Organization's comprehensive agenda. The presidents are expected to make decisions on key issues, finalize agreements, and endorse official documents related to OTS projects in the areas of economy, trade, digital transformation, transport and security.

The agenda will also include discussions on political and economic developments within the region and beyond, focusing on multilateral cooperation among Member States and Observers in various fields. The leaders will exchange views on how to address shared challenges and seize opportunities to further strengthen the unity and progress of the Turkic World.

By Khagan Isayev