Gabala: The 12th Summit of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS), held on October 6-7 in Gabala, marked a pivotal moment for the future strategic directions of the organization. The two-day event, themed ‘Regional Peace and Security,’ underscored the commitment of Turkic-speaking countries to act collectively in the face of growing geopolitical tensions, aiming to bolster stability and collective security. Participants at the summit adopted resolutions to deepen cooperation across political, economic, transport, defense, and humanitarian domains, with regional security and the Middle Corridor emerging as key discussion points.
According to Azeri-Press News Agency, the Gabala Summit was crucial for consolidating Turkic unity, enhancing the OTS’s international standing, and initiating a new phase of integration. President Ilham Aliyev highlighted the organization’s evolution into a strategic power center on the global stage, driven by shared historical and ethnic roots, along with common national and spiritual values. He announced Azerbaijan’s contribution of two million U.S. dollars to the OTS Secretariat, emphasizing the organization’s growing geopolitical influence.
Political analyst Elxan Shahinoglu noted the strategic importance of the Turkic states acting as a unified power center for regional security. He explained that the summit’s focus on ‘Regional Peace and Security’ was due to the risk of wars in surrounding regions spilling over, necessitating enhanced security cooperation among Turkic states. In his address, President Aliyev stressed the significance of military and defense cooperation, asserting that military power is fundamental to maintaining independence and territorial integrity.
Azerbaijan’s hosting of the summit reaffirmed its leadership role in the Turkic world. The choice of Gabala, a city rich in cultural symbolism and strategic geography, was deliberate. During the summit, President Aliyev engaged in bilateral meetings with several leaders, setting the stage for deeper cooperation within the organization and reinforcing Azerbaijan’s position as a proactive, agenda-setting actor in the Turkic world.
President Aliyev’s initiatives have united OTS member and observer states around shared goals in Karabakh, symbolizing solidarity and strategic integration. Turkish companies and other Turkic states have actively contributed to reconstruction efforts in the region, showcasing the power of political unity through tangible outcomes.
The summit also emphasized the development of transport links within the OTS, with President Aliyev highlighting Azerbaijan’s pivotal role in the East-West and North-South transport corridors. The opening of the Zangezur Corridor was a significant outcome, serving as a new transport artery within both corridors.
The second key focus was deepening security cooperation. President Aliyev proposed joint military exercises of OTS member states in Azerbaijan in 2026, aiming to enhance defense capabilities and political trust. This initiative was described by Shahinoglu as a strategic step toward strengthening security cooperation among Turkic states.
The Gabala Summit marked the beginning of a new phase in Turkic integration, with transport corridors, economic integration initiatives, and security cooperation poised to transform the OTS into a globally significant political-economic center. Analysts note that the international community’s response is mixed, with support from the US and EU but apprehension from Russia, China, and Iran.
President Aliyev emphasized the OTS’s growing international influence, with observer states actively participating in the summit. The signing of the Gabala Declaration reaffirmed solidarity, mutual trust, and a commitment to sovereignty within the Turkic world, outlining a strategic framework for long-term cooperation.