Think tank: US should deepen ties with Turkic states

Senior fellow at the Hudson Institute Luke Coffey has said he would like to see a meeting or summit held between the United States and the Organisation of Turkic States (OTS) at the level of the U.S. Secretary of State.

Coffey made the remarks in Washington during a conference titled “The U.S. in the South Caucasus: Identifying New Strategic Opportunities," Caliber.Az reports, citing local media.

He underlined that the Turkic world represents a new pole in Eurasia, and that it is time for American policymakers to understand, acknowledge and begin engaging with it.

“During your visit to Istanbul, take a few hours to stop by the OTS headquarters. Learn more about this organisation, because in my view, it is becoming increasingly important,” the expert said.

The Organisation of Turkic States (OTS) comprises Türkiye, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan, with Hungary, Turkmenistan, and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus holding observer status. Established in 2009 as the Cooperation Council of Turkic Speaking States, the bloc aims to deepen political, economic and cultural cooperation among Turkic nations.

In recent years, the OTS has sought to expand its regional influence, promoting connectivity projects, energy partnerships and cultural integration across Eurasia. Türkiye, in particular, has positioned itself as a leading advocate for greater unity among Turkic countries, describing the organisation as a platform for enhancing regional stability and global visibility.

Western governments and policy analysts have increasingly taken note of the group’s growing role, especially amid shifting geopolitical dynamics following the war in Ukraine, the reconfiguration of Eurasian transport routes, and the rising strategic importance of the South Caucasus.

By Aghakazim Guliyev