Organisation of Turkic States

The Organisation of Turkic States (OTS) is an intergovernmental organisation that promotes cooperation among countries sharing Turkic languages and historical and cultural ties. It provides a framework for political consultation and practical cooperation while respecting its members’ sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Origin and institutional character

The organisation was established through the Nakhchivan Agreement of 2009 as the Cooperation Council of Turkic-Speaking States, commonly called the Turkic Council. It adopted the name Organisation of Turkic States in 2021.

• Its founding members were Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Türkiye.
• Its Secretariat is located in Istanbul, and summits of heads of state provide high-level direction for cooperation.
• It is a cooperative intergovernmental forum, not a supranational government or a collective-defence alliance.

Membership and observer participation

The OTS has five full members: Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Türkiye and Uzbekistan. Uzbekistan joined in 2019, expanding the organisation beyond its four founding members.

• Hungary and Turkmenistan participate as observers rather than full members.
• The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus also holds observer status; this status should not be confused with general international recognition.
• The Economic Cooperation Organization participates as an observer organisation.

Principal objectives

The organisation seeks to translate shared linguistic and cultural affinities into political, economic and cultural cooperation. Its founding framework emphasises sovereign equality, territorial integrity and the inviolability of internationally recognised borders.

• It aims to strengthen mutual trust, friendship and good-neighbourly relations among member states.
• It promotes common approaches to foreign-policy questions of shared interest and coordination in international forums.
• It supports regional peace and security, including cooperation against terrorism, separatism, extremism and transnational crime.
• It seeks favourable conditions for trade and investment and closer cooperation in transport, customs, energy and other economic sectors.
• It promotes cooperation in education, science, technology, culture and tourism, including the preservation and promotion of shared Turkic heritage.