Tokayev rejects idea of creating a military alliance of Turkic countries

Astana, May 15 (EFE).- Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on Friday rejected the idea of transforming the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) into a military alliance.

“Recently, there has been talk of a military alliance (...) Kazakhstan believes that such a position should be rejected. For us, strengthening the unity of the Turkic world is extremely important and an urgent priority,” Tokayev said in Turkistan, the Kazakh city hosting an informal summit of OTS leaders.

The Kazakh president stressed that the OTS — which also includes Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Turkey, and Kyrgyzstan — is not a geopolitical project or a military organization, but rather a platform that strengthens trade, economic, technological, digital, cultural, and humanitarian cooperation among member countries.

For his part, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said the OTS is becoming an increasingly important actor in world politics.

“Today, the international weight of the Organization of Turkic States is growing, and its role and position in global processes continue to strengthen,” Aliyev said.

Uzbek leader Shavkat Mirziyoyev said that integration processes among Turkic peoples are important for sustainable development, especially at a time when “distrust in international relations is increasing in various regions of the world.”

“The integration of the Turkic world is a long-term strategic issue that directly benefits our peoples,” Mirziyoyev said. He added that the combined GDP of Turkic-speaking countries has surpassed $2.4 trillion and continues to demonstrate sustained growth.

As the main theme of the current summit focused on artificial intelligence and global development, Tokayev proposed the creation of a joint technology center for Turkic states called Turkic AI.

The Kazakh leader also proposed the mutual recognition of electronic documents and digital signatures among OTS members, which would significantly facilitate trade and economic relations.

Speaking about the importance of digitalization, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that digital transformation must not become a threat.

“Artificial intelligence should be viewed as an opportunity, but it is essential to approach it correctly to prevent it from becoming a tool of global domination. We must pay special attention to reducing the digital divide between developed and developing countries. This must be part of our overall approach,” Erdogan stressed.

He also highlighted the need to expand the use of a unified Turkic alphabet and strengthen cooperation in science, education, and artificial intelligence technologies.

“It is important to expand the use of the 34-letter Turkic alphabet and support scientific and educational initiatives in member countries. The development of artificial intelligence technologies to support the languages and cultural heritage of the Turkic world is of particular importance,” Erdogan said.

Participants at the summit in Turkistan also discussed Turkey’s initiative to create an OTS+ format aimed at expanding cooperation with countries and organizations interested in joining the Turkic states. EFE

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TURKISTAN, 15/05/2026.- General view of an informal summit of the leaders of the Organization of Turkic States held Friday in Turkistan, Kazakhstan. EFE/Akorda FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY / AVAILABLE ONLY TO ILLUSTRATE THE ACCOMPANYING NEWS STORY (MANDATORY CREDIT)

TURKISTAN, 15/05/2026.- Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev during an informal summit of the leaders of the Organization of Turkic States held Friday in Turkistan, Kazakhstan. EFE/Akorda FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY / AVAILABLE ONLY TO ILLUSTRATE THE ACCOMPANYING NEWS STORY (MANDATORY CREDIT)

TURKISTAN,15/05/2026.- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during an informal summit of the leaders of the Organization of Turkic States held Friday in Turkistan, Kazakhstan. EFE/Akorda FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY / AVAILABLE ONLY TO ILLUSTRATE THE ACCOMPANYING NEWS STORY (MANDATORY CREDIT)