Azerbaijan hosts leaders of Turkic States for 12th summit in Gabala

President Ilham Aliyev welcomed the heads of state and government participating in the 12th Summit of the Council of Heads of State of the Organization of Turkic States, held in Gabala on October 7.

The summit brings together leaders of member and observer countries of the Organization of Turkic States, including Türkiye, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Hungary, Turkmenistan, and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. Discussions are centred on strengthening political dialogue, economic cooperation, and cultural exchange under the theme “Regional Peace and Security.”

President Aliyev personally greeted the attending heads of state and government upon their arrival at the summit venue. Following the welcoming ceremony, the leaders posed for a group photograph before the opening session. The gathering marks a key milestone in advancing unity, sustainable development, and collective engagement across the Turkic world.

President Ilham Aliyev speaks at the summit
In his opening address at the 12th Summit of the Organization of Turkic States in Gabala, President Ilham Aliyev emphasised the growing geopolitical influence of the Turkic world, highlighting the Organization’s evolution from a platform for cooperation into a major international actor. He expressed gratitude to Kyrgyzstan for its chairmanship and reaffirmed Azerbaijan’s commitment to strengthening unity and shared values among member states.

President Aliyev underscored peace and security as the foundation for sustainable development, calling for closer military and defence cooperation among Turkic states. He proposed holding joint military exercises in Azerbaijan in 2026 and praised the strong strategic partnership between Azerbaijan and Türkiye.

He reflected on Azerbaijan’s achievements in restoring its territorial integrity following the 44-day Patriotic War and recent counter-terrorism measures, noting that the peace agreement initialled in Washington, with the participation of U.S. President Donald Trump, would transform the South Caucasus into a region of lasting peace.

The Azerbaijani leader also highlighted the country’s role as a transport and energy hub, citing a 90% rise in cargo traffic through the Middle Corridor since 2022 and the opening of the Zangazur Corridor as a key outcome of the Washington summit. He noted Azerbaijan’s growing natural gas exports, investments in renewable energy, and the development of a green energy corridor linking Central Asia, Türkiye, and Europe.

President Aliyev proposed marking the 100th anniversary of the First Turkological Congress in Baku in 2026 within the OTS framework. He concluded by thanking member states for their support in the reconstruction of Garabagh and Eastern Zangazur, noting projects and symbolic gifts from Türkiye, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, and Hungary as expressions of brotherhood and solidarity within the Turkic world.

Remarks by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev
In his remarks at the 12th Summit of the Organization of Turkic States in Gabala, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan praised Azerbaijan’s role in promoting unity across the Turkic world and highlighted Gabala’s historical significance as a centre of trade and culture. He expressed sincere gratitude to President Ilham Aliyev for the warm hospitality extended to all delegations.

The Uzbek leader commended the peace declaration signed between Azerbaijan and Armenia, calling it a vital step toward ensuring stability and lasting peace in the South Caucasus. He described the agreement as a testament to Azerbaijan’s political will and leadership.

President Mirziyoyev also stressed the importance of continued engagement with the wider international community and acknowledged President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s efforts in promoting stability and development across the region. He underlined the need for more frequent and closer dialogue among Turkic states to further deepen political cooperation and achieve shared goals within the Organization’s framework.

 

Statement by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán praised the spirit of unity and shared heritage among Turkic nations as he addressed the 12th Summit of the Organization of Turkic States in Gabala. “Today in Gabala, we are not only participating in a meeting but also witnessing the triumph of our shared values, common heritage, and strong unity,” he said.

Prime Minister Orbán expressed his gratitude to President Ilham Aliyev for the warm invitation and hospitality, noting that the summit reflected an atmosphere where family values, cultural traditions, and mutual respect thrive — qualities he contrasted with the broader political environment in Europe.

He commended the leadership of President Aliyev and the achievements of Azerbaijan in renewable energy, peacebuilding, and regional cooperation, describing them as examples of visionary and successful governance. Orbán emphasised that the gathering of strong and forward-looking leaders in Gabala underscores the growing importance of the Turkic world as a centre of stability, trust, and strategic partnership.

 

Remarks by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan
President of Türkiye Recep Tayyip Erdoğan called for the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) to become a stronger body that stands for justice and shared values. Speaking at the 12th Summit in Gabala, he thanked President Ilham Aliyev for his hospitality, congratulated Azerbaijan on assuming the chairmanship, and praised Kyrgyzstan for its previous leadership.

Erdoğan criticised the inaction of the UN Security Council on global crises and urged the Turkic States to act collectively and uphold moral responsibility. He described the summit’s theme, “Regional Peace and Security,” as timely and meaningful, and said the new “OTS Plus” cooperation format would expand engagement with other partners.

He reaffirmed Türkiye’s readiness to deepen cooperation in security, defence, and technology, highlighting the importance of a united stance against terrorism, illegal migration, and cyber threats. Erdoğan also welcomed recent progress in Gaza, voiced support for a two-state solution, and called the 8 August Washington declaration between Azerbaijan and Armenia a step toward lasting regional peace.

Highlighting cultural and linguistic unity, he announced Türkiye’s first publication in a common Turkic alphabet and proposed declaring 15 December as “World Turkic Language Family Day.” Erdoğan concluded by expressing hope that Turkmenistan would soon become a full member of the Organization and that the solidarity shown in Gabala would further strengthen the Turkic world’s unity and influence.

Remarks by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev
President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev highlighted environmental challenges affecting the region, drawing attention to the declining water level of the Caspian Sea. Speaking at the 12th Summit of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) in Gabala, he described the Caspian as a “unique symbol of the Turkic world and a bond that unites our peoples.”

Tokayev warned that the continued drop in sea levels poses serious ecological and economic risks and called for joint action among Turkic nations. He urged member states to strengthen cooperation through shared environmental initiatives, develop regional projects, and support international efforts to protect the Caspian ecosystem.

The Kazakh leader announced that Kazakhstan will host a regional summit in April next year, with the support of the United Nations, to promote a common vision for a sustainable future, and invited Turkic-speaking countries to participate with high-level delegations.

Remarks by President Ersin Tatar
President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Ersin Tatar expressed heartfelt appreciation to President Ilham Aliyev for hosting the 12th Summit of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) in Gabala, describing Azerbaijan as a historic land that reflects the shared heritage of the Turkic world. “We share the same history, the same epics, and the same cultural heritage. These common roots are the strongest moral values that unite us,” he said.

President Tatar noted that the summit’s timing, coinciding with the 5th anniversary of the Victory in Karabakh, carried special significance. He described the victory as a symbol of restored justice and national unity, showing that when Turkic nations stand together, they can overcome any challenge.

He reaffirmed the TRNC’s unwavering support for Azerbaijan and expressed confidence that cooperation grounded in shared history and moral values will strengthen into a lasting strategic partnership. President Tatar concluded by stating that unity and mutual trust among Turkic states will continue to ensure peace, stability, and prosperity across the region.

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OTS Organization of Turkic States Azerbaijan