The informal summit of the heads of state of the Turkic States Organisation (OTS) in Kazakhstan’s ancient city of Turkistan reflected deeper strategic dynamics within Eurasia. It signalled the continued emergence of a new geopolitical centre of gravity stretching from the South Caucasus to Central Asia. It is an area which is increasingly defined by transport connectivity, digital integration, energy security and strategic coordination among Turkic nations.

In the modern international system, regional cooperation platforms are becoming more influential as global power structures fragment and traditional supply chains come under pressure. Against this backdrop, the Turkic States Organisation has evolved from a culturally oriented partnership into a strategic Eurasian platform with growing political and economic significance.

The pace of this transformation has accelerated notably under Azerbaijan’s leadership.

President Ilham Aliyev’s latest visit to Kazakhstan, i.e. his eighth in the past five years, alongside President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s six visits to Azerbaijan, illustrates the remarkable intensity of bilateral engagement between Baku and Astana. Four years ago, the two countries formally elevated relations to the level of allied partnership through a Joint Declaration that envisaged deep political, economic and transport-logistics integration.

The symbolism of Turkistan itself is difficult to overlook. After the liberation of Azerbaijan’s territories in 2020, the first sister city partnership established by Shusha was with Turkistan, underscoring the growing narrative of shared historical identity and civilisational continuity across the Turkic world.

Still, the significance of the OTS today extends far beyond cultural symbolism.

President Aliyev has repeatedly argued that the Turkic world must become one of the influential geopolitical centres of the 21st century. Such a vision requires more than political solidarity, including the integration of economic infrastructure, transport corridors, energy........

© AzerNews