Milliyet: OTS countries are working to expand cooperation in various areas

Member states of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) are currently working to expand cooperation across various areas, Türkiye's Milliyet newspaper reported ahead of the OTS summit scheduled for October 30.

According to Report, the newspaper said that the OTS countries, described as six states and one nation, are exploring initiatives including a common market, a customs union, passport-free travel, a common Museum Card, alphabet unity, and joint military and security cooperation.

"The aim is to create a strong Turkic World bloc in the face of global centers of power while preserving the independence of states," the article said.

The newspaper noted that it would be difficult for six countries facing different threats to formulate a unified foreign policy, while emphasizing the potential benefits of pursuing diversified policies.

It also highlighted the importance of closer ties between peoples and greater mutual understanding.

The article recalled developments in OTS member states during the period when some of them were part of the Soviet Union.

It highlighted the persecution of thousands of Azerbaijani intellectuals, including poet Mikayil Mushfig, writer and playwright Huseyn Javid, poet Ahmad Javad, who authored the national anthem, and historian and linguist Vali Khuluflu.

The article said that an estimated 70,000 to 100,000 people in Azerbaijan fell victim to repression during that period.

It also discussed changes to the writing system, noting that the transition from the Arabic alphabet to the Latin alphabet was supported in 1929, while the Soviet authorities later imposed a transition to the Cyrillic alphabet in 1939.

The newspaper further addressed the Zangazur region, saying that it was transferred to Armenia by the Soviet leadership, separating Azerbaijan's Nakhchivan from the rest of the country and disrupting direct land connectivity between Türkiye and Azerbaijan.

"Thus, the geographical integrity of the Turkic world was physically divided," the article said.

The piece also referred to the January 20, 1990 massacre carried out on the orders of Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, as well as the exploitation of Azerbaijan's oil resources.

According to the report, foreign ministers will gather in Ankara on October 29, followed by the heads of state for the Organization of Turkic States summit on October 30.