In the 163-article Ankara Declaration published after the 13th Summit of the Organization of Turkish States (TDT), it was decided to strengthen cooperation between Turkish states in the fields of defense industry, cyber security, economy, transportation, energy and space technologies. In the declaration, investigating the possibility of establishing the TDT Defense Industry College hosted by Turkey, accelerating the consultations for the establishment of the Cyber Security Council, developing the Zangezur Corridor and support for the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) came to the fore.
Following the 13th Summit of the Organization of Turkish States (TDT) held in Ankara under the chairmanship of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the Ankara Declaration was published, covering many topics from political cooperation to defense industry, from regional security to economic integration.
The summit, which was held with the theme of "Turkish Century: Unity in Language, Ideas and Work", was attended by Kazakhstan President Kasım-Cömert Tokayev, Kyrgyz President Sadır Caparov, Uzbekistan President Şevket Mirziyoyev, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Ceyhun Bayramov, Turkmenistan President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, TRNC President Tufan Erhürman and TDT Secretary General Kubanıçbek Ömuraliev. In the 163-article declaration adopted after the summit, the goal of transforming the political solidarity of the Turkish world into permanent strategic cooperation was emphasized. While the principles of respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity and inviolability of international borders of member states were reaffirmed, it was emphasized that common attitudes towards regional and global developments should be strengthened.
In the declaration, the finalization of the 2027-2031 Strategy, which will constitute the road map of TDT for the next period, was encouraged and the progress made on the draft strategic partnership, eternal friendship and brotherhood treaty between the Turkish states was welcomed.
In the Ankara Declaration, extensive coverage was given to the work carried out to further strengthen the political solidarity between the Turkish states on an institutional basis. In this context, it was stated that the progress towards the draft "Treaty of Strategic Partnership, Eternal Friendship and Brotherhood Among the Turkish States" was welcomed and the importance of developing unity and joint initiatives among the member states was emphasized. While it was decided to continue working on the appointment of permanent representatives to TDT and the establishment of permanent representations, a call was made to increase the contacts between foreign ministers, increase mutual support in international organizations and ensure coordination on issues of common interest.
One of the most striking topics of the declaration in the field of defense and security was the proposal to establish a TDT Defense Industry College program hosted by Turkey. While the adoption of the Cooperation Road Map was welcomed at the 2nd Meeting of TDT Defense Industry Institutions Presidents held in Baku on October 1, 2026, the will to develop multilateral cooperation in the field of defense industry was reaffirmed. In this context, the relevant authorities of the member states and the TST Secretariat were encouraged to explore the possibility of establishing a defense industry college program hosted by Turkey. The program in question aims to increase knowledge and experience sharing in the defense industry, train qualified personnel, develop theoretical and applied expertise and adapt to technological developments.
In the Ankara Declaration, it was emphasized that Turkish states should strengthen cooperation against common security threats. It was decided to continue coordination in the fight against terrorism, extremism, separatism, drug and arms smuggling and transnational organized crime.
In the field of cyber security, a call was made to accelerate the process of signing the "Memorandum of Understanding on Cyber Security and Cyber Cooperation among TDT Member States". In addition, it was encouraged to accelerate consultations regarding the establishment of the TDT Cyber Security Council. The signing of an agreement between member states and observers on the establishment of the Anti-Crime Council was also supported.
Evaluations regarding the Cyprus issue were also included in the declaration. It was emphasized that the Cyprus problem should be found in a negotiated, mutually acceptable and sustainable solution, based on the current realities on the Island. Stating that the Turkish Cypriot people are an integral part of the Turkish world, support was given to the efforts of the Turkish Cypriot people to secure their inherent equal rights.
The Ankara Declaration also put forward a common approach to the humanitarian situation in Gaza and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It was stated that the United Nations Security Council resolution 2803 (2025) and the Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict should be fully implemented in order to ensure security and stability in Gaza, address the severe humanitarian situation and pave the way for reconstruction activities. While emphasizing the need to find a just and permanent solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, a call was made to implement a two-state solution in line with relevant UN resolutions.
In the declaration, support for Syria's territorial integrity and unity was reaffirmed. It was stated that while supporting the security, stability and reconstruction of the country, the security situation, political developments and humanitarian conditions in Afghanistan are closely followed. It was decided to continue coordinated efforts through existing mechanisms, including the TDT Afghanistan Working Group, to ensure peace and stability in Afghanistan.
In the transportation and logistics section of the declaration, support was given to strategic transportation projects in order to develop trade between Turkish states and strengthen connections between Asia and Europe. Commitments to the development of the International East-West Central Corridor across the Caspian Sea, to use the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway at full capacity and to ensure integration with relevant railway networks were reaffirmed. While supporting the development of the Zangezur Corridor and the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway, it was stated that they are ready to facilitate the integration of these routes into the Central Corridor. It was noted that these transportation networks play an important role in diversifying trade routes between Europe and Asia and strengthening regional connections.
The Ankara Declaration also included a remarkable proposal to facilitate citizens' travel. TDT member states were encouraged to explore the possibility of establishing special passenger lanes for each other's citizens on a voluntary basis at international airports, in line with their national legislation and technical capabilities. Thus, it is aimed to facilitate travel between member countries and increase people-to-people contacts.
Strengthening energy security among Turkish states and diversifying energy resources were also among the important topics of the declaration. Attention was drawn to the strategic importance of projects such as the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline and the Southern Gas Corridor in terms of regional and global energy security.
The Ankara Declaration also allocated extensive space to joint studies in the field of space technologies. The successful completion of the production phase of the 12U "TDT-SAT" Cube Satellite, developed under the TDT flag, was evaluated as an important development that demonstrated the technological capacity and scientific cooperation of the Turkish world.
In the declaration, the goal of developing joint studies in the field of digital transformation, artificial intelligence and advanced technologies was emphasized. The contribution of the "Digital Silk Road" initiative, which includes the Azerbaijan-Kazakhstan Trans-Caspian fiber optic cable, the planned Azerbaijan-Turkmenistan connection and connections via Turkey, to the regional digital infrastructure was appreciated.
Within the scope of economic cooperation, the goals of increasing trade between Turkish states, improving the investment environment and deepening economic integration came to the fore. The Turkish Investment Fund was encouraged to support projects for transportation, trade, industry, agriculture, digital infrastructure, green growth and the development of small and medium-sized enterprises.
The importance of studies in the fields of Common Turkish Alphabet, Common Turkish History and Common Terminology within the scope of cultural integration of the Turkish world was emphasized. The efforts of the Turkish Academy to disseminate the Common Turkish Alphabet, to adopt the recommended guidelines for its use, and to publish literary and scientific works with the common alphabet were appreciated.
One of the striking articles of the declaration in the field of sports was the proposal to mutually evaluate the football players of the member countries as "non-foreign football players". In addition, it was encouraged to increase efforts to concretize the proposal of organizing a "Turkish Cup" tournament at different levels among the national teams of the member countries.
The declaration also included goals for improving the relations of the Organization of Turkish States with international organizations. A call was made to accelerate joint efforts to obtain observer status for the Organization in the United Nations General Assembly and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.
