Kyrgyzstan: Organization of Turkic States Summit Begins

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has arrived in the Kyrgyz capital Bishkek, where the eleventh summit of heads of state of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) will be held today and tomorrow (November 5-6). The meeting will focus on economic integration, sustainable development, technological development, and security. The Organization of Turkic States includes Turkey, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan. Turkmenistan and Hungary (represented in Bishkek by Prime Minister Viktor Orban) are observer countries.

The summit, organized by Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov (pictured), is entitled “Strengthening the Turkic World: Economic Integration, Sustainable Development, Digital Future, and Security for All.” Discussion of the entire Organization calendar is on the agenda. The approval of official documents concerning cooperation projects in the fields of economy, trade, digital transformation, transportation, and security is expected. This will be followed by the signing of various economic and trade cooperation agreements. The agenda will also include discussions on political and economic developments in the region and beyond, with a focus on escalating tensions in the Middle East. Eventually, the current presidency will pass from Kazakhstan to Kyrgyzstan. During the closing ceremony, the heads of state will sign the Bishkek Declaration and a number of resolutions.

It is noted that from Bishkek Erdogan will go to Hungary to participate in the meeting of the European Political Community, which will be held in Budapest on November 6 and 7 and during which the Turkish president will present a peace plan for a rapid settlement of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict.