“Tragedies remind us that we must also consider what lies beyond our borders”

 

Addressing the Organization of Turkic States Informal Summit, President Erdoğan said: “The tragedies that occurred in Cyprus, Karabakh, and Bosnia in the past, and today in Gaza, remind us that we must also consider what lies beyond our borders.”

“WE HIGHLY VALUE THE ROLE HUNGARY PLAYS IN STRENGTHENING THE RELATIONS BETWEEN THE ORGANIZATION OF TURKIC STATES AND EUROPEAN INSTITUTIONS”

President Erdoğan said: “The fact that the OTS is holding a summit in an observer state for the first time ever is a manifestation of the importance we attach to Hungary. As Turkic states, we are the bearers of a deep-rooted legacy that lies at the crossroads of history and civilization, blending the wisdom of the East with the dynamism of the West. I wholeheartedly believe that the OTS will be one of the primary architects of the strategic connection between the East and the West. We highly value the role that Hungary, which is home to the Representation Office and the Drought Prevention Institute of the OTS, plays in strengthening the relations between the OTS and European institutions. We are of the opinion that the appointment of Balázs Hendrich, Hungary’s former consul general in Istanbul, as the Executive Head of the Representation Office will boost the efficacy of the body. I would like to take this opportunity to also express our support for Hungary’s accession to TURKSOY, an embodiment of our cultural cooperation, as an observer member.”

President Erdoğan stated: “As an organization, we have overcome numerous challenges, prejudices, and obstacles. Looking back, we have reached a level that is now pointed to as exemplary. No need to say that there is a long way to go; yet, I have no doubts whatsoever that we, with you my treasured brothers, will eventually reach the destination. Rendering our organization more equipped in the areas of management, personnel, and budget will make it more effective. We find it necessary and beneficial to double the secretariat’s budget in the first stage.”

“WE WILL BE PLEASED BY THE DECLARATION OF MARCH 21 AS THE OTS NOWRUZ COMMEMORATION AND CELEBRATION DAY”

“The Nowruz festival we have celebrated in recent weeks is the most important cultural heritage of our over a thousand-year common culture and history, of our unity of destiny and hearts. We will be pleased by the declaration of March 21 as the OTS Nowruz Commemoration and Celebration Day. We believe that declaring December 15 as World Turkic Language Day at the 43rd General Conference of UNESCO would be highly meaningful. I hope the works underway in this direction would have been completed by the date of the conference. I, in advance, wish outstanding success to our Uzbekistani brothers and sisters with the General Conference, which I sincerely believe they will host successfully. I, hereby, would like to express our great pleasure over Uzbekistan’s participation as a member in the Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation,” President Erdoğan said.  

“A PICTURE OF THE TURKIC WORLD IN WHICH THE TURKISH REPUBLIC OF NORTHERN CYPRUS IS MISSING WILL NEVER BE COMPLETE”

“The Middle Corridor, which constitutes a safe and uninterrupted transportation line between East and West, stands out as a strategic route,” President Erdoğan said. “We attach great importance to cooperation within the organization for the success of the Middle Corridor, and we expect the support of the member states. The tragedies that occurred in Cyprus, Karabakh, and Bosnia in the past, and today in Gaza, remind us that we must also consider what lies beyond our borders. Any occasion whereby we make our voice heard will be a response to humanity’s call for a just order, fair sharing, and a rules-based system. Our bonds of brotherhood make it necessary for us to watch each other’s back and step up our solidarity. I would like to re-emphasize that it is important for our family assembly to increase its solidarity with the Turkish Cypriot people, an inseparable part of the Turkic world. We expect the Turkic world, without deviating from their rightful path, to give a much bigger shoulder to the fight the Turkish Cypriots, whom it is deeply committed to, have been waging for rights, freedom and justice. In this regard, I would like to note that I find the meeting the Council of Elders held in May in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) highly meaningful. We believe that a picture of the Turkic world in which the TRNC is missing will never be complete. Therefore, the decision we took for the TRNC’s observer membership to the Turkic Academy is a critically important additional step. I hope we can all see the days when the TRNC becomes a full member of the OTS in a not-too-distant future.”

President Erdoğan noted: “We are closely following the developments unfolding in the Caucasia, which carries strategic importance for the Turkic world. We are pleased by the peace agreement the brotherly Azerbaijan has reached with Armenia. If lasting peace can be established between the two countries, this will undoubtedly present many opportunities for the Turkic world. Accordingly, I am confident that my dear brother Aliyev will go down in history as the leader that has brought peace to the region.”

“CONFRONTING ISRAEL’S LIMITLESS EXPANSIONISM AND SUPPORTING THE TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY OF PALESTINE, AS WELL AS LEBANON AND SYRIA, IS ESSENTIAL”

President Erdoğan said: “In Gaza, where one of the most brutal humanitarian tragedies of modern times is taking place, civilians are virtually living through hell. The United Nations has made a grave warning that 14 million babies face the risk of death unless aid is delivered. As the Turkic world, our contribution to efforts for establishing a ceasefire, ensuring the uninterrupted delivery of humanitarian aid, the reconstruction of Gaza, and the pursuit of a lasting peace process is of great importance. As part of the efforts for stability and peace in our region, confronting Israel’s limitless expansionism and supporting the territorial integrity of Palestine, as well as Lebanon and Syria, is essential.”

President Erdoğan added: “We all profoundly feel the ramifications of the Russia-Ukraine war, one of the top challenges to our security. The parties came together in Istanbul in recent days for the first time since 2022. We will continue our intensive engagement with both countries to achieve a comprehensive ceasefire and a just peace. Likewise, our intensive efforts are ongoing for Syria to achieve stability after 14 years of conflicts. Making an effective and accurate use of this opportunity is important to establish stability in Syria and across the broader region as well as beyond it.”