Omer Kocaman: OTS countries plan to create Defense Industry Cooperation Platform

Deputy Secretary General of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) Omer Kocaman in an interview with Report within the XII Global Baku Forum spoke about the relations between OTS member countries, the peace treaty project between Azerbaijan and Armenia, the development of a common Turkic alphabet and other issues.

- This year, two summits of the Organization of Turkic States will be held in Baku and Budapest. What main issues will be discussed at these meetings?

- The Organization of Turkic States (OTS) has gone through important stages of development in terms of institutionalization and expansion. Now we have directed our efforts to deepen cooperation between the countries that are part of the organization. For this purpose, important documents in the field of customs regulation, transport, and economy were signed at the summits in Samarkand and Bishkek. The e-commerce agreement signed in Bishkek is of great importance for OTS members, as in today's digital world, trade is carried out through internet platforms. Therefore, we needed to take such a step to develop internal trade and expand our trade relations. As for our expectations for the near future within the OTS, we want to sign a free trade agreement in the service sector, work on this document is already underway. In May-June of this year, we will hold a meeting of energy ministers of OTS countries in Türkiye, which will discuss the development of clean energy and the provision of critical raw materials. These issues already occupy an important place in world politics and affect international relations, and our member countries have a sufficient amount of critical raw materials. This raw material, which we can supply to world markets, will play an important role in space and quantum technologies. Therefore, we will take steps to accelerate the work of working groups in this direction at the meeting of energy ministers. In the upcoming period, our main directions will be energy, customs, and transport.

- Against the background of the changing world order, cooperation in the field of defense is also gaining great importance. Given that conflicts in the world are becoming more numerous, can the issue of creating a united army of Turkic states be considered in the future?

- We attach great importance to cooperation in the defense industry. Our multilateral relations in the defense industry and security sphere are constantly expanding. Within this direction, we have held three meetings of the chairmen of the National Security Councils of OTS countries. The fourth meeting will be held in Bishkek in September this year. This year, we also plan to hold a meeting of defense ministers of OTS countries. We are working on creating a Defense Industry Cooperation Platform to deepen cooperation in the military sector.

- As you know, after the overthrow of the Assad regime in Syria, Azerbaijan and Türkiye intensified their activities to rebuild this country. Both countries are also expanding cooperation with African countries. How does the OTS evaluate these innovations and in what format can it participate in processes in Africa and Syria?

- Based on Azerbaijan's initiative, we want to start working with the African Union and sign a memorandum of understanding. We also intend to expand cooperation with the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf and sign a corresponding memorandum; this work is also being carried out at Azerbaijan's initiative. In general, our vision for 2040 is to achieve a unified position of OTS countries on issues of international politics and security. Progress in Syria, cooperation with African countries and the Persian Gulf should be viewed from this perspective. I think that in the upcoming period, we will become an important player in global and regional politics, expanding cooperation with organizations such as the African Union, the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, ASEAN, and the European Union.

- Azerbaijan and Armenia have announced the completion of negotiations on the text of a peace treaty. How do you assess this progress?

- This is a very important achievement. We want the Caucasus, like Central Asia, to be islands of peace. In general, the Turkic geography is a belt of peace, stability, and harmony. Yes, there was a problem here, but the Azerbaijani soldier showed great heroism and liberated his lands from occupation. The next stage is the signing of a peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia, which will lead to strengthening stability in the region and developing relations between OTS members and Armenia. And this, first of all, will bring the greatest benefit to Armenia. We are closely following Azerbaijan's foreign policy and initiatives. President Ilham Aliyev has put forward very important initiatives for peace in the Caucasus, and achieving this goal today shows what a visionary politician the Azerbaijani leader is.

- In this regard, I would like to know your opinion about the Zangazur Corridor. What does the opening of this corridor promise for the Turkic world?

- We attach great importance to the Zangazur Corridor and support its opening. This is very important in terms of direct contacts between Türkiye and OTS member countries. That is why we are closely monitoring the negotiations between Azerbaijan and Armenia and hope for a resolution of the Zangezur Corridor issue. Its opening will make a great contribution to expanding cooperation in the Turkic world, especially in the field of transport. Our members attach great importance to the opening of the corridor.

- Another route that is of great importance in expanding economic ties between Turkic states is the Middle Corridor.

- Yes, the Middle Corridor is of great importance to us. Today, China plays a major role on a global scale and has enormous production potential. China's trade relations with Europe and other regions of the world are constantly expanding. As you know, the Northern Corridor has lost its functionality due to the Russian-Ukrainian war. There are also problems with maritime transportation, and in general, the sea route takes more time than the land route. The shortest trade route between China and Europe is possible through the Middle Corridor, that is, through the OTS member countries. In recent years, our countries have made significant investments in infrastructure in this direction, opened ports, and are constantly working to improve logistics along the corridor. New ports have been put into operation in Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan. All this is being done to increase cargo flow through the territory of OTS countries. This, in addition to obtaining economic benefits, will allow influencing world trade and regional politics.

- Last year, the OTS Commission managed to agree on a unified Turkic alphabet consisting of 34 letters. At what stage is the work on its implementation?

- Common language and alphabet have always been topics of discussion. With the adoption of a unified alphabet, we have achieved historic progress. Back in 1926, a congress was held in Baku (First Turkological Congress - ed.), where a common alphabet was adopted, but then this issue was forgotten. Next year will mark the centenary of this congress. I believe that in 2026 we should finally resolve the issue of a common alphabet. Next year, Azerbaijan will take over the chairmanship of the OTS, and we plan to hold a major congress in Baku, just like 100 years ago. We want to announce the common alphabet to the world again.