Message of the OTS Summit in Shusha: Territorial Integrity Above All
On July 5-6, a summit of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) will take place in Shusha at the initiative of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, marking a significant diplomatic event. Leaders from Turkey, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan will participate in the summit, dedicated to “Building a Sustainable Future Through Transport Connectivity and Combating Climate Change.” It is expected that leaders of observer countries and OTS Secretary-General Kubanychbek Omuraliyev will also attend.
This summit, held in the symbolic city of Shusha, aims to facilitate high-level discussions on crucial issues and a broader organizational agenda. The main event will be the signing of the Karabakh Declaration and several other key documents.
Ahead of the summit, a meeting of the OTS Council of Foreign Ministers will be held in Shusha to finalize the agenda items and documents for the informal summit. This preparatory stage highlights the meticulous planning of the summit’s agenda, ensuring productive discussions and substantive agreements.
The summit follows a series of official visits by the heads of state of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan to Azerbaijan, including tours of territories recently liberated from Armenian occupation. These visits, and the humanitarian projects undertaken by the presidents of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan in Karabakh, not only emphasized solidarity with Azerbaijan but also underscored the collective commitment to the principle of territorial integrity—a cornerstone for these states emerging from the Soviet Union.
From President Aliyev’s perspective, the summit and preceding visits are crucial for strengthening the geopolitical reality of Azerbaijan’s restored territorial integrity. The meeting of Turkic leaders in Shusha, a city of great historical and cultural significance for Azerbaijan, serves as a powerful symbol of unity and support.
The outcomes of this summit, particularly the Karabakh Declaration, are likely to influence the geopolitical landscape in the region, bolstering solidarity among Turkic-speaking states and their collective stance on key issues.