Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan attended the Informal Summit of the Heads of State of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) held in Budapest.

Speaking before fellow leaders at the summit, President Erdoğan praised the OTS for overcoming significant challenges and evolving into a model organization. "As an organization, we have overcome numerous challenges, prejudices, and obstacles. Looking back, we have reached a level that is now pointed to as exemplary," he said.

Highlighting cultural diplomacy, Erdoğan proposed that December 15 be declared 'World Turkic Language Day' at the upcoming 43rd General Conference of UNESCO, calling it a meaningful step in preserving and promoting the common linguistic heritage of Turkic nations.

The Turkish president also addressed historical and ongoing humanitarian crises, linking past tragedies with current global injustices. "The tragedies that occurred in Cyprus, Karabakh, and Bosnia in the past, and today in Gaza, remind us that we must also consider what lies beyond our borders," he stated.

On Gaza, Erdoğan issued a powerful denunciation of the ongoing violence: "In Gaza, where one of the most brutal humanitarian tragedies of modern times is taking place, civilians are virtually living through hell." His remarks echoed growing global concern over the humanitarian crisis in the besieged Palestinian territory.

Turning to economic and strategic cooperation, President Erdoğan emphasized the importance of the Middle Corridor—a transcontinental trade and transportation route connecting East and West through Central Asia and the Caucasus. "We attach great importance to cooperation within the organization for the success of the Middle Corridor, and we expect the support of the member states," he noted, describing it as a “safe and uninterrupted transportation line” with strategic significance.

Erdoğan also underlined the shared historical and civilizational roots of the Turkic world. "As Turkic states, we are the bearers of a deep-rooted legacy that lies at the crossroads of history and civilization, blending the wisdom of the East with the dynamism of the West," he said.

The Informal Summit brought together leaders from member and observer states of the OTS to discuss regional integration, cultural collaboration, and geopolitical challenges. The event reflects growing cooperation among Turkic nations amid shifting global dynamics. (ILKHA)