President Ilham Aliyev Highlights Stronger Security Cooperation Among Turkic States
Baku, The Gulf Observer: President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has called for stronger security cooperation and coordination among the member states of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS), stressing the importance of developing a common approach to emerging regional and global threats.
In a message to participants of the Fifth Meeting of the Secretaries of the Security Councils of the OTS member states in Baku, President Aliyev welcomed the participants to Azerbaijan and noted that the prestigious meeting was being held in the country for the first time.
The Azerbaijani President said common ethnic roots, language, culture and traditions unite the Turkic peoples and described the OTS as an example of effective cooperation among friendly and brotherly states with significant political and economic potential.
He noted that the Turkic world has entered a period of development, with peace, stability and successful development processes in member states constituting important achievements for their peoples.
Referring to Azerbaijan’s victory in the Garabagh conflict six years ago, President Aliyev said it had created a new geopolitical reality in the region and paved the way for the realization of the Zangezur Corridor, which he described as an important link connecting Turkic countries economically, logistically and strategically.
President Aliyev expressed gratitude to OTS member states for their support in the reconstruction and restoration of Azerbaijan’s liberated territories, saying that these initiatives were deeply appreciated by the Azerbaijani people.
He emphasized that friendship and solidarity among Turkic states were important factors behind the growing international standing and potential of the OTS.
Under Azerbaijan’s chairmanship of the organization, efforts are being made to strengthen unity and solidarity among member states, expand cooperation and contribute to sustainable development, peace and security in the region.
The President highlighted the Declaration adopted at the previous OTS Summit in Gabala as an important roadmap for closer cooperation and integration in political, economic, energy, humanitarian, military and security spheres.
He also emphasized the development of the Middle Corridor, a major transport and logistics route linking Europe and Asia, including the Zangezur Corridor and other transport connections.
President Aliyev further highlighted the holding of Turkic World Week in Azerbaijan, dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the First Turkological Congress, as one of the significant events taking place during Azerbaijan’s OTS chairmanship.
Addressing contemporary security challenges, the Azerbaijani President said that alongside traditional threats, new challenges such as cyber threats were emerging, while new areas of instability and difficulties related to international law were also affecting the global environment.
He stressed the need for OTS member states to establish a common agenda for addressing regional and global challenges, develop coordinated positions on major issues and strengthen cooperation across different areas.
According to President Aliyev, bilateral military exercises among member states contribute to defense cooperation and demonstrate the strategic nature of their interstate relations.
He noted that cooperation among the security councils demonstrates that the integration of the Turkic world extends beyond political, economic and cultural areas and has a long-term strategic dimension.
The regular meetings of security council secretaries, he said, are important for exchanging views on pressing security issues, identifying common regional and global threats and risks, and exploring measures to address them.
President Aliyev said that strengthening security dialogue among OTS countries could contribute to the formation of a common security architecture.
He identified international terrorism, transnational organized crime, illicit drug trafficking, religious extremism, hybrid threats and the protection of critical infrastructure as challenges requiring coordinated international efforts.
The Azerbaijani President expressed confidence that the discussions and proposals emerging from the Baku meeting would contribute to peace and security and help strengthen the resilience of the Turkic states in confronting global threats.
He wished the participants success in their deliberations.
