Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has urged Turkic states to play a more active role in maintaining stability and security in the region.

“We believe the Turkic world can take a more active role in the stability and security of our region in many ways,” Erdogan said, speaking at the 12th Summit of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) in the northern Azerbaijani city of Gabala, on Tuesday.

“We are facing an international system in which the UN Security Council remains indifferent to many issues that wound the conscience of humanity,” he noted, criticising the international system.

Highlighting developments in Syria, the president said: “Despite many challenges, the Syrian government’s progress over the past nine months gives us reason to look to the future with hope.”

He called for deeper engagement: “As Turkic states, we must advance our engagement with the Syrian government.”

On the South Caucasus, Erdogan said: “We do not just follow developments; we sincerely support the steps taken in the region to establish peace and stability.”

He condemned Israel’s latest attacks on Qatar, saying they show that “the greatest threat to our region’s stability comes from the current leadership of this country”.

Erdogan highlighted cultural initiatives, noting: “Regarding the common alphabet, Türkiye is taking the first step, publishing a work on (world-renowned Kyrgyz author) Chinghiz Aitmatov and the Oghuznameh (legendary accounts of Oghuz Turks) in the common alphabet.”

Lasting peace possible through unity among Turkic states: Turkish foreign minister

Meanwhile, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said on Tuesday that lasting peace and long-term stability can only be achieved through strengthening constant coordination and partnership among the member states of the OTS.

Fidan also attended and addressed the OTS Council of Foreign Ministers meeting held in Gabala, Azerbaijan.

Stressing that the Turkic world should now become a main actor shaping regional balances, Fidan said the OTS’ greatest strength lies in the growing trust and cooperation among its members.

He underlined the need for the Turkic world to meet more frequently in the face of regional and global challenges to determine its position and coordinate timely joint steps.

Referring to the main theme of Tuesday’s summit, ‘Regional Peace and Security’, Fidan said it represents the top priority for the future of their shared geography.

Fidan stressed that permanent peace and long-term stability can only be realised through the continuous strengthening of coordination and partnership among member states.

He said the path to this goal lies in acting in harmony on geopolitical matters, enhancing coordination and cooperation on international platforms, and speaking with one voice on critical global issues.

Highlighting the significance of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) becoming an OTS observer state in 2022, Fidan said it strengthened the unity of the Turkic world.

He underlined that lifting the unjust isolation imposed on the Turkish Cypriot people — an inseparable part of the Turkic world — and recognising their rights is a shared responsibility.

Fidan also said important progress has been made toward ensuring lasting peace in the South Caucasus, which holds vital importance for the stability of their shared region.