Uzbek president calls for stronger economic, transport ties among Turkic states

By Alperen Aktas

ISTANBUL (AA) – Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on Tuesday voiced support for expanding practical cooperation within the Organization of Turkic States (OTS), highlighting plans for deeper economic integration and stronger transport links across the Turkic world.

Speaking at the 12th Summit of the Council of Heads of State of the Organization of Turkic States in Gabala, Azerbaijan, Mirziyoyev said the recently signed peace declaration between Azerbaijan and Armenia “opens up broad opportunities for cooperation” in trade, transport, and humanitarian affairs.

“The Organization of Turkic States has become one of the rapidly developing, authoritative international organizations,” he said, stressing that it has strengthened political dialogue and mutual trust among member nations.

Mirziyoyev proposed drafting a “strategy for the development of the Turkic States through 2030” and a roadmap for its implementation, noting that such a plan should focus on creating a “space of new economic opportunities.”

He also called for the formation of a Permanent Council of Turkic States for Economic Partnership, to be chaired by deputy prime ministers and based in Tashkent.

On connectivity, the Uzbek leader underlined the need to strengthen the Middle Corridor linking Central Asia to Europe, integrate it with the China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railway and the Trans-Afghan Corridor, and harmonize customs and tariff policies to facilitate trade.

He announced that an International Forum on Multimodal Transport will take place in Tashkent on Nov. 12 to discuss these projects.