Aliyev called on the Turkic states to act from the position of a single center of power

It is extremely important that the Turkic states act as a single center of power, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said during a speech at the 12th summit of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS).

"Against the background of modern geopolitical and security challenges facing the world, it is extremely important that the Turkic states, in accordance with the Karabakh Declaration adopted at the informal summit in Shusha last year and the theme of today's summit — "Regional peace and security", act as a single center of power," Aliyev said.

He listed the factors that turn OTG "into an important actor on the world stage."

"Domestic political and economic stability, an important geostrategic position, a positive demographic situation and a young population, great opportunities in the transport and logistics sector, natural resources, as well as growing potential in the military and military-technical fields make OTG an important actor on the world stage," the President of Azerbaijan said.

He also proposed to hold joint military exercises of the member States of the TG.

"Taking into account the broad cooperation of our countries in the military, defense and security spheres, we propose to hold joint military exercises of the member states of the Organization of Turkic States in Azerbaijan in 2026," Aliyev urged.

The Organization of Turkic States includes Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkey and Uzbekistan. The only European country acting as an observer is Hungary.