In brief
In a statement on 30 October 2026, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan underscored the importance of unity across the Turkic world, framing it as a strategic necessity amid global instability. He highlighted the agenda of the 13th Organization of Turkic States summit in Ankara and Turkey’s forthcoming chairmanship, while Turkish media echoed his call for cohesion without discord.
In a statement issued on 30 October 2026, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan stressed that solidarity among Turkic states is a “strategic necessity” in the face of shifting world politics and widespread conflict. Erdoğan made the remark ahead of the Organization of Turkic States’ (OTS) 13th summit, which Turkey will host in Ankara.
"World politics is undergoing a profound transformation. At a time when the international system is struggling to establish justice and trust, and wars and crises are affecting vast geographical regions, solidarity among Turkic states has become a strategic necessity," said Erdoğan in a written statement distributed to media outlets across member and observer countries.
Erdoğan attributed the emphasis on unity to a deep-rooted legacy and called for collective action to shape a shared future. He added,
"The unity of the Turkic world is the strongest expression of the deep-rooted legacy inherited from our shared history and our determination to shape our common future."
He outlined the theme of the upcoming summit as “The Turkic Century: Unity in Language, Thought and Deed,” arguing that mobilizing the Turkic world’s potential would strengthen both economic and cultural cooperation. Erdoğan also noted Turkey’s responsibility to assume the OTS chairmanship from Azerbaijan, describing the transition as a historic step to enhance the organization’s institutional capacity.
Turkish Media Echo Unity Call
Turkish media echoed Erdoğan’s message, with a report from Türkiye Today noting that the President conveyed a “no room for discord” stance during his briefing on Friday. The outlet also reported that the summit coincided with Zubair Aliyev, president of Azerbaijan, skipping the meeting—underscoring the importance of a united front as Turkey takes over leadership.
"There is no room for discord in the Turkic world as Turkey assumes the chair from Azerbaijan," the article declared.
The echoing sentiment was further reflected in a statement from the Turkish daily Yeni Şafak, which highlighted Erdoğan’s confidence that the Turkic world would strive for a new era, the so‑called Turkish Century. The piece quoted him as saying,
"I sincerely believe that, as the Turkic world, we will strive to make the coming period the Turkish Century through full solidarity, mutual respect and …"
These developments signal a concerted effort by Turkey to deepen ties among Turkic nations, promote economic integration, and uphold cultural cooperation, while positioning the organization to address regional challenges and advance Turkish Cypriot rights in the process.
