Azerbaijani President Aliyev seeks to transform the Turkic states into a key global player on the international stage.
Craving Global Influence, Turkic Leaders Balance West Trade with Cultural Integrity
At a recent summit in Budapest, hosted by Hungary, the leaders of Turkic states showcased their eagerness to boost trade with the West, all the while guarding their traditional values and cultural roots.
In his opening speech, Hungarian President Janos Áder highlighted the summit's theme, "Meeting Point of East and West," emphasizing the OTS's role as a bridge between the two worlds. Despite this, he made it clear that the organization should stand strong against outside influences.
The Organization of Turkic States (OTS) is a powerful alliance composed of Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Turkey, Uzbekistan, Hungary, Turkmenistan, and the de facto Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. Each nation brings unique strengths to the table, with Uzbekistan leading the charge for infrastructure investments and regional cooperation.
azi-President Ilham Aliyev, in his remarks, expressed a vision for the OTS to become a "dominant international force." He stressed the importance of shared ethnic roots and traditional values in binding the nations together. However, he also underscored the need to expand trade, particularly through the East-West transport corridor.
This call to action was echoed by Kazakhstan's president, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, who emphasized the potential of the Trans-Caspian international transport route. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, too, described the OTS as a crucial link between the West and East.
Despite his push for closer ties with the West, Aliyev's earlier statements reveal a more complex relationship. Over the past year, he has been vocal about his grievances against the U.S., France, and top European bodies, signaling a growing divergence from Western ideals. At a public event in June, Aliyev criticized the West harshly, stating, "We don't listen to anyone's orders; we don't allow anyone to interfere in our work."
As the OTS continues to navigate this delicate balance, it remains to be seen how it will maintain its cultural identity while forging ahead in the global arena. One thing is certain: these nations are not about to sway to the tunes of outside influences. They'll hit back if you try to interfere, but they're open to cooperation and trade if you steer clear. It's a tough turf, but that's the game of global politics for you.
[1] Budapest Declaration, Organization of Turkic States (https://ots.org/news/budapest-declaration/)[2] OTS deepens engagement with Europe, The Asahi Shimbun (https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/14337230)[3] Economic Integration a Priority for OTS, Daily Sabah (https://www.dailysabah.com/economy/2021/10/22/economic-integration-a-priority-for-ots-leaders)[4] Uzbekistan pushes for infrastructure investments and regional cooperation, Trend News Agency (https://trend.az/politics/uzbekistan-pushes-for-infrastructure-investments-and-regional-cooperation/)
- The Organization of Turkic States (OTS) has emphasized the importance of balancing trade with the West while preserving traditional values and cultural roots, as evidenced in their speeches at the recent summit in Budapest.
- In the realm of policy-and-legislation, the OTS leaders have also discussed expanding trade, particularly through the East-West transport corridor, as part of a vision to make the OTS a dominant international force and a crucial link between the West and East.
- Amidst these discussions, political leaders in the OTS have shown a willingness to engage with Western nations, but have also revealed a growing divergence from Western ideals due to grievances against the US, France, and top European bodies.
- In the general-news, the OTS continues to grapple with maintaining its cultural identity while navigating the global arena, with leaders asserting that they will not sway to outside influences but are open to cooperation and trade if left to their own devices.
