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Akbar Novruz

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A joint statement was adopted on April 2, 2026, in Baku during the second meeting of the Heads of Government and Vice Presidents of the member states of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS).

AzerNEWS reports that the event brought together Azerbaijan’s Prime Minister Ali Asadov, Turkey’s Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz, Kazakhstan’s Prime Minister Oljas Bektenov, Kyrgyzstan’s Adilbek Kasymaliyev, Uzbekistan’s Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov, Northern Cyprus’ Prime Minister Unal Ustel, Turkmenistan’s Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Nokergulu Ataguliyev, and OTS Secretary General Kubanıçbek Ömüraliev.

The leaders welcomed the successful first meeting of the OTS Heads of Government held in Bishkek on September 18, 2025, and expressed their support for Azerbaijan’s ongoing chairmanship of the organization. They highlighted the importance of unity, institutional strengthening, and practical cooperation in priority areas.

Reaffirming commitments under the Nakhchivan Agreement and other key OTS documents, the member states emphasized the role of close cooperation in promoting regional peace, stability, and sustainable development. They also recognized the outcomes of the 12th OTS Summit in Gabala on October 7, 2025, on the theme of “Regional Peace and Security,” and the informal meeting of the OTS Council of Foreign Ministers in Istanbul on March 7, 2026, as key opportunities to address regional and global challenges.

Economic cooperation featured prominently in the joint statement. Leaders pledged to expand investment, support joint projects, enhance the business climate, and strengthen trade and business-to-business relations. They committed to increasing trade volume among member states by removing non-tariff barriers, in line with the “Turkic World Vision 2040” strategy. Cooperation in industrial development, standardization, digitalization, green technologies, agriculture, energy security, and critical minerals was also emphasized.

The statement highlighted the need for efficient use and expansion of infrastructure for oil, gas, and other hydrocarbons, the development of green energy projects, energy efficiency, and the peaceful use of nuclear energy. Innovation, artificial intelligence, space technologies, transport corridors, and digital connectivity were identified as strategic priorities for economic growth. The leaders reaffirmed the importance of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Corridor and the implementation of previous OTS Summit decisions.

Kazakhstan’s initiative to host the Informal Summit on Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development in Turkestan in 2026 was welcomed, and deep gratitude was expressed to Azerbaijan for the high-level organization and hospitality of the event.

The joint statement was officially adopted in English in Baku on April 2, 2026.