By Farid Zohrabov

Copyright trend

BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 8.​ The 12th Summit
of the Council of Heads of State of the Organization of Turkic
States (OTS) in Gabala is being hailed as the beginning of a new
strategic phase in the integration of the Turkic world, political
analyst Azer Garayev told Trend.

Garayev noted that the summit sent both symbolic and political
messages, confirming that Turkic states are now uniting not only
through cultural affinity but also around shared geopolitical

“President Ilham Aliyev emphasized that the OTS today is not
merely a platform for cooperation but is evolving into a distinct
power center in global politics. This reflects the Council’s
transformation, moving from cultural and economic integration to
establishing a unified political and security mechanism,” Garayev

He highlighted that President Aliyev’s proposal to hold joint
military exercises of Turkic states in Azerbaijan next year is a
practical expression of this vision.

“This step demonstrates OTS’s potential to develop a common
defense policy. The president also addressed the emerging
geopolitical environment in the South Caucasus, noting the progress
of the peace agreement with Armenia in Washington and the
dissolution of the OSCE Minsk Group, which reflects Azerbaijan’s
model of stability based on justice. These developments have
created a new diplomatic atmosphere in the region, and Azerbaijan’s
peace initiatives serve as an example of a stability model grounded
in fairness for the Turkic world,” he added.

Garayev stressed that this model serves as an exemplary
experience not only for Azerbaijan but also for other Turkic
states, showing that sovereignty, security, and independence can be
ensured through national strength and cooperative action.

The analyst also pointed out that the summit emphasized the
opening of the Zangezur corridor and the expansion of the Middle
Corridor, highlighting practical steps for economic integration
within the OTS. Azerbaijan’s role as a transit and energy hub
further strengthens the strategic bridge between the West and Asia.
Projects such as the Central Asia–Azerbaijan–Türkiye–Europe Green
Energy Corridor will position Turkic states not only as energy
exporters but also as leaders in renewable energy.

Garayev added that the participation of Turkic states in the
reconstruction of Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur is a tangible
demonstration of political and moral solidarity.

“Turkic countries are actively involved in rebuilding efforts:
the Mirza Ulugbek School in Fuzuli (by Uzbekistan), the Manas
School in Aghdam (by Kyrgyzstan), a school in Jabrayil built by
Hungary, and the Fuzuli Mosque gifted by Turkmenistan. All of these
projects symbolize practical unity. They go beyond reconstruction,
representing moral cohesion, mutual respect, and shared identity,
showing that Turkic unity is now built on real strategic
collaboration rather than just a diplomatic concept,” he

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