Erdoğan urges Turkic world to act in ‘solidarity’ amid crises

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Friday emphasized the strategic importance of solidarity among Turkic nations, speaking at the Informal Summit of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) in Turkistan, Kazakhstan.

Defense and industrial cooperation needed

“Crises in Palestine, Lebanon, Iran, Ukraine, and many others indicate that we need to strengthen our defense and increase our cooperation in the industrial sector,” Erdoğan said. He noted that Türkiye aims to advance coordination in cybersecurity within the OTS during its upcoming term, stressing that cybersecurity is now as vital as security in land, air, and maritime domains. He also expressed hope that the Turkic world will continue to strengthen political, economic, and cultural relations with the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC).

Common alphabet and AI initiatives

Erdoğan called for the widespread use of a common Turkic alphabet across education, culture, academic collaboration, and digital transformation. He added that AI-based initiatives, including a Turkish language model designed to showcase the richness of the shared language in the digital sphere, should be supported. Türkiye continues to lead efforts to deepen integration among Turkic states, viewing the OTS as a key platform for regional stability, economic growth, and cultural unity.