Strengthening bonds within the Turkic world due to Terror-free Turkey

Turkey Drives Growth and Integration in the Organization of Turkic States

The Organization of Turkic States (OTS), a regional alliance led by Turkey, has seen significant expansion and influence in recent years. One of the key drivers of this growth is Turkey's commitment to deepening ties with its Turkic partners, both economically and politically.

Economically, the OTS is focused on fostering integration through initiatives such as harmonizing legal norms, joint projects in transport and logistics, and leveraging key trade routes like the Middle Corridor (Trans-Caspian International Transport Route). This critical segment of China’s Belt and Road Initiative connects Europe and Asia through Turkic countries.

Turkey is also expanding multilateral cooperation, particularly in the defence industry, positioning itself as a key exporter and security partner to Turkic states. The goal is to build a defence-industrial bloc rooted in shared Turkic cultural ties, although financial constraints and competing influences from Russia, China, and Iran pose challenges.

Economic cooperation extends to trade development and increased investment among member states, strengthened by high-level bilateral interactions, especially between Turkey and Kazakhstan.

In the cultural sphere, the OTS works to foster cultural unity by promoting Turkic languages, media, and education. Efforts include the promotion of Turkic cinema, a joint television platform, and unification of alphabets across member countries to solidify a shared cultural identity.

Politically, the OTS aims to enhance collective geopolitical influence and regional stability among Turkic countries through coordinated diplomacy and security cooperation. Turkey, as a leading member, anchors political efforts by institutionalizing defence cooperation and playing a mediator role in regional conflicts.

The recognition and inclusion of entities like the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) within Turkic multilateral platforms illustrates the political aspirations of solidarity and mutual support among Turkic peoples. The OTS also emphasizes improving connectivity and trade facilitation for landlocked member nations, working with international organizations to address broader development challenges and integrate these countries into the global economy.

Turkey, as the engine of the OTS's development, drives the organization’s integration agenda both politically and economically. It initiated many OTS projects, hosts strategic forums such as the International Defence Industry Fair (IDEF), and coordinates the defence industry platform. Turkey maintains strong bilateral relationships with other member states, particularly Kazakhstan, facilitating strategic partnerships that nurture cooperation in trade, culture, and security.

The "terror-free Turkey" initiative, launched last year, has the potential to further strengthen Turkey's role within the OTS. The PKK terrorist group announced its dissolution under this initiative, ending four decades of violence that claimed over 40,000 lives in Turkey, as well as in Iraq and Syria.

The combined GDP of OTS member states reached $2.1 trillion in 2024 and is expected to surpass $3 trillion by 2030, potentially making the OTS the eighth-largest economic bloc globally. The Turkic World Relevant Institutions and Organizations Consultation Meeting, attended by 15 public institutions, aimed to strengthen coordination, pool resources, and unite around common projects.

In summary, the OTS aims to build a cohesive Turkic bloc with enhanced economic cooperation (trade, transport, defence industries), cultural unity (language, media, education), and political collaboration. Turkey plays a pivotal role as a coordinator, economic engine, and political leader in guiding and institutionalizing these ambitions.

[1] Organization of Turkic States [2] Middle Corridor [3] AK Party [4] Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus [5] Belt and Road Initiative