UPDATE - 'We will work with all our strength to make coming period the Century of Turkic World': Turkish president

UPDATE ADDS MORE REMARKS FROM TURKISH PRESIDENT ERDOGAN, MAKES MINOR CHANGES, ADDS SUB-HEADINGS, ADDS MORE DETAILS

By Serdar Dincel

ISTANBUL (AA) - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday said that "we will work with all our strength to make the upcoming period the Century of the Turkic World."

"We have come to this day by overcoming obstacles, but we still have a long way to go," Erdogan said at the 11th Summit of the Heads of State of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) in Kyrgyzstan's capital Bishkek.

- South Caucasus

Expressing his hope that the summit would benefit the Turkic World, he said after 30 years of conflict and instability in the South Caucasus, the gates to peace and stability have opened.

Erdogan also expressed hope that Azerbaijan's gains on the battlefield in Karabagh will be consolidated on the negotiating table by signing a peace agreement.

In 1991, the Armenian military had occupied Karabakh, a territory internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan, and seven adjacent regions.

Azerbaijan established full sovereignty in Karabakh in September 2023, following an "anti-terrorist operation" after which separatist forces in the region surrendered.

Azerbaijan and Armenia have yet to sign peace treaties and normalize ties.

- Palestine

Regarding Israel’s aggression on Palestinian territories, Erdogan said that the international community is failing badly in stopping a genocide occurring in the occupied Palestinian territories, particularly in Gaza.

"The United Nations Security Council, which is responsible for maintaining international peace and security, cannot even meet and take a decision. Or rather, it does not want to," he underlined.

Türkiye does not accept this "atrocity" and "inhuman massacre," in Gaza, the Turkish president said, urging the Turkic world to take a "decisive" stance.

Israel has continued a devastating offensive on Gaza since the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks by Hamas, killing nearly 43,400 people and rendering the enclave almost uninhabitable.

- 'Turkic World has important responsibilities'

Regarding the Cyprus issue, Erdogan said, “The Turkic world also has important responsibilities to reach a just and lasting solution to the Cyprus issue based on the realities on the island. The more we embrace the just cause of the Turkish Cypriots and show solidarity with them, the more we will strengthen our own unity and solidarity.

"The presence of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus as the guest of honor and observer member at today's summit of our organization is a manifestation of our will of solidarity with the Turkish Cypriot people as well as the Turkic world."

He also voiced hope that the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and Turkmenistan, which currently have observer status at the OTS, will become full members.

- ‘Diplomatic efforts for peace must be supported’

Stressing that the war in Ukraine, which is about to complete its third year, continues to have a negative impact on the region, President Erdogan said, “Since the onset of the war, we have been supporting a negotiation process in which both sides are at the table and a lasting and just peace is achieved.

"As Turkic states, I believe that it is extremely important for us to support diplomatic efforts to establish peace.”

Regarding Afghanistan, the president emphasized that geographic stability and security are inextricably linked to developments in the war-torn country, implying that if the interim administration in Kabul takes an inclusive approach based on fundamental human rights, new doors will open for them.

- Further cooperation in different fields among Turkic states stressed

Erdogan said the Turkic states' 175 million population, $1.2 trillion trade volume, and rich cultural heritage provide a solid foundation for breakthroughs in “science, energy, and transportation, particularly in trade and the economy.”

"I am pleased that negotiations on the Digital Economy Partnership Agreement, which is one of the components of our 2040 vision, have concluded. I am also confident that the Turkish Investment Fund, which we established last year, will soon be operational and will support our projects.”

On energy, he called for increased cooperation with the goal of reducing dependence on a single source and investing more in renewable energy. The president also called for taking advantage of the Middle Corridor Project's "unique" transportation opportunities.

Stressing that the agreement on the Common Turkic Alphabet in September was a "historic step," Erdogan added: "Our common alphabet is a sign of our common destiny, our common future, and our will to step into the future together.

"By increasing our efforts in this field, we will hopefully eliminate all kinds of obstacles between us and we will sign the historical embrace of the Turkic world.”