FM Hakan Fidan calls for Turkic states to strengthen ties, adopt common alphabet

At the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) Summit in the city of Shusha, Azerbaijan, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan emphasized the importance of Turkish states enhancing their relations and taking collective steps on various issues.

Speaking at the Informal Council of Foreign Ministers Meeting of the OTS, Fidan conveyed several key messages.

Fidan underscored the need for Turkic states to strengthen their ties and collaborate on various fronts to prevent global power competition from affecting their region.

We must tighten our ranks and use our capabilities for our collective prosperity. Regional ownership and cooperation form the fundamental principles of our joint efforts.

FM Hakan Fidan

Common alphabet

Highlighting the importance of unity, Fidan advocated for the adoption of a common alphabet among Turkish states.

“The current world order has lost its balance, presenting significant opportunities for the OTS to strengthen ties. Educational initiatives and youth projects should be developed, and we must establish our alphabet unity as soon as possible,” he said.

Strong support for Azerbaijan

Expressing dissatisfaction with the biased stance of some Western countries favoring Armenia, Fidan called for full support for Azerbaijan. “As the Turkish world, we must provide full support to our brotherly Azerbaijan to successfully complete this process,” he said.

Enhancing relations with Turkish Cypriot

Fidan urged OTS members to enhance commercial relations with the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) to end the long-standing isolation of Turkish Cypriots. “Establishing a trade office in the TRNC would be an important step in this direction,” he added.

OTS’ support for Gaza

Fidan emphasized the need for the Turkish world to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. He noted Türkiye’s decision to intervene in the South Africa-Israel genocide case and called for support from all OTS members before the International Court of Justice (ICJ).