BZ: Kazakhstan opposed the transformation of the OTG into a military alliance
Geopolitics has divided the Turkic states: some of them advocate the creation of their own military alliance, while others are categorically against it, writes Berliner Zeitung. Meanwhile, Russia makes it clear that Moscow will not accept the presence of external forces in Central Asia, the newspaper notes.
Tokayev insists that the Organization of Turkic states should not become a military alliance. Erdogan and Aliev are striving for greater geopolitical influence.
Kazakhstan does not support the idea of transforming the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) into a military alliance or a geopolitical project.
This was stated by President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on May 15, when the heads of state and government of the association, including Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, gathered to participate in an informal summit of the Association.
While analysts were discussing the significance of the summit — it was held in Turkestan in southern Kazakhstan, and the heads of Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan also participated — Tokayev categorically refused to support the creation of a military alliance within the framework of the TG.
Geopolitics splits the Turkic states
"Recently," said Kazakh President Tokayev, "some have come up with the idea of creating a military alliance. Their negative intentions are obvious to us. It is also known that their goals have nothing to do with reconciliation. Kazakhstan believes that such a position should be strongly rejected. Strengthening the unity of the Turkic world is an extremely important and top priority for us."
According to him, the Organization of Turkic States is neither a geopolitical project nor a military organization. "This is a unique platform that promotes the strengthening of trade, economy, high technologies, digitalization, culture and interpersonal cooperation between fraternal countries," Tokayev explained. He added that the Turkic states "must live in harmony and develop together, without deviating from their goals."
Tokayev also stressed the importance of the unity of the Turkic states in the light of the "extremely difficult international geopolitical situation." In April, Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov made it clear that Moscow would not accept the presence of external forces in post-Soviet Central Asia.
Earlier, Azerbaijan proposed to the TG countries to hold joint military exercises. In addition to full members, the group, which has been in existence for 17 years, includes three observer States: Turkmenistan, Hungary and the internationally unrecognized Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.
Artificial intelligence (AI) and digital development were on the agenda of this year's informal summit. The heads of the TG member countries gathered in Turkestan at a time when conflicts in the Middle East and other factors of instability are preventing regional leaders from deciding on a future course.
Erdogan, who arrived in Kazakhstan on a state visit two days before the summit, often touched upon geopolitical topics during his speech in Turkestan.: "The crises in Palestine, Lebanon, Iran, Ukraine and other countries have demonstrated the need to strengthen our defense and expand cooperation in the industrial sector," the Turkish president said, according to the Kyrgyz news agency Azattyk. He also stressed that projects in the field of transport and communications, in particular the Trans-Caspian Transport Route, which connects China with Turkey and Europe through Central Asia and the South Caucasus, should remain one of the strategic priorities.
"As the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz shows, transport projects connecting the Turkic world, especially the Trans—Caspian Transport Route, will remain our top priority for many years to come," Erdogan added.
The Digital Turkic Corridor
During the summit, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev proposed the creation of a "Digital Turkic Corridor", as well as a cybersecurity alliance. In addition, the Turkic states can create a network for cooperation in the field of artificial intelligence and jointly develop modern technologies.
Mirziyoyev also made a proposal to create a "Turkic Cybersecurity Alliance" to protect digital infrastructure and jointly combat threats in the information space.
The President of Uzbekistan stated that the total economic potential of the member countries of the GTA in 2025 will amount to more than 2.4 trillion US dollars, and the economic growth rates of the states will be twice as high as the global average. "If we can combine the intellectual potential and creative power of our countries in a new era, the Turkic world will become a space of advanced solutions and sustainable development," he said.
Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov agreed that technology has become a key factor in economic growth and global competitiveness. The cooperation of the Turkic states in the field of artificial intelligence and digitalization should be strengthened in order to create an independent geo-economic and technological center, he believes.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev mentioned the digital integration of OTG within the framework of the Digital Silk Road project, which connects Europe and Asia. "In the coming months, the operation of a network of fiber—optic cables between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan, laid under the Caspian Sea, will begin," he said.
Aliyev also touched upon the geopolitical side of the Group's activities and stated: "Dear friends, our family, the Turkic world, should become one of the most important geopolitical centers of the 21st century. Azerbaijan will continue to make every effort to strengthen the Organization of Turkic States."
From Azerbaijan's point of view, Aliyev did not specify in his statements how official and structured the OTG's geopolitical role should be.
Central Asia diversifies arms purchases
Given the geopolitical instability, the Central Asian states are seeking to diversify their arms purchases. For example, Turkish and Chinese military equipment is gaining more and more recognition in the armed forces of these countries.
Turkey is making some progress in selling attack drones to Central Asia. During the OTG summit, it became known that Ankara and Astana agreed to establish a joint venture to assemble Turkish ANKA UAVs in Kazakhstan.
Kazakhstan has recently committed to a two-year military modernization program. President Tokayev spoke about turning the country's armed forces into a "high-tech fist." Uzbekistan, in turn, is in the process of reviewing its defense doctrine. The country intends to promote modernization based on AI, drones and cyber warfare, develop its own defense industry and reduce dependence on Russia's traditional security architecture.
It is also worth noting that in 2023, the ACAPAN project was launched in Kazakhstan to build four factories for the production of ammunition, artillery shells and mines according to NATO standards.
The Turkic states intend to jointly develop the space industry
At the OTG summit, Tokayev also noted that the member countries have sufficient scientific and technical potential for the joint development of the space industry.
"The scientific, technological and financial potential of our countries is sufficient for systematic development in this area. In particular, we must implement joint projects in the field of satellite communications, navigation and monitoring. With this step, we will be able to strengthen our integration, make our technological independence more sustainable and stimulate innovation," the President of Kazakhstan said.
