Energy cooperation plays crucial role in OTS, says Kazakh expert

As Astana prepares to host the 10th anniversary summit of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) on November 3, energy cooperation remains be an important factor in the countries’ cooperation. In an interview with Kazinform agency, Amir Bashbaev, Head of the Analysis and Forecasting Group of the Institute of Foreign Policy Studies under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan, discussed the expectations from the upcoming summit and where the organization stands in this turbulent period. 

The OTS, formerly known as the Cooperation Council of Turkic-Speaking States, was established in 2009 as an intergovernmental organization to promote comprehensive cooperation among Turkic States. Its four founding member states are Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Türkiye.

Uzbekistan joined as a full member during the 7th summit in Baku in October 2019. Hungary received observer status at the organization during its 6th Summit in Cholpon-Ata in September 2018, and Turkmenistan became an observer member during the 8th summit in November 2021 in Istanbul.

The Istanbul summit is deemed a key milestone in the development of OTS, as it was when the Turkic Council got its new name – the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) – and became a full-fledged international organization, and when leaders adopted the Turkic World Vision – 2040, which supports Turkic countries’ integration efforts and lays out their cooperation’s long-term goals.

“Institutional formation of the Organization of Turkic States from the Turkic Council on November 12, 2021, then the adoption of such strategic documents as The Vision of the Turkic World - 2040 and the adoption of roadmaps - all this gave a powerful impetus to the diversification of the activities of the OTS,” said the expert.

In 14 years of its existence, OTS served more as a dialogue platform for leaders to discuss problematic issues.

“To date, the synergy accumulated over 14 years has given a powerful impetus, and now the organization is already developing progressively, especially in trade and economic cooperation. By its tenth anniversary summit, the organization is already coming and acting as a union of states, which, at this stage, are very interested in the development of trade and economic cooperation,” said Bashbaev.

The internal trade turnover of the OTS member states reached $27 billion in 2022, up from $21 billion in 2021.

“This is very important, especially in the context of the turbulent international relations taking place in the world,” said the expert.

Energy cooperation plays an important role

Bashbaev noted in terms of trade and economic cooperation, energy cooperation plays an important role.

“Cooperation in the energy sector is strong,” he added.

Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Azerbaijan boast large oil and gas reserves, while Turkiye, which Bashbaev said is the “leading country in this organization,” seeks to become an energy hub for Europe and the Middle East.

The Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR), known as the Middle Corridor, is important in unlocking the full potential of energy cooperation within OTS.

At the Samarkand summit in November 2022, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev called the development of transport and transit a priority. The development of transport and logistics potential has been a priority for Kazakhstan, which spent $35 billion on this effort in the last 15 years alone.

Enhancing transportation and transit connections among Turkic nations could be achieved by upgrading border checkpoints, creating new rail and road routes, and implementing digital technologies to streamline cargo registration processes. This would facilitate swift exchanges of transport documents and open up additional avenues for accessing the global market.

“On top of that, China is going to build a new alternative route through Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and further through Turkmenistan with access to the port of Turkmenbashi,” said Bashbayev.

Role of Kazakhstan in OTS

Kazakhstan has played a very active role in OTS in all areas of cooperation, said Bashbaev.

“For example, our role is very significant in the educational aspect. The Turkic Academy is currently working on the development of a common alphabet for Turkic countries. Common textbooks on history, geography and literature are also being prepared. (...) This will be an important factor in the rapprochement of Turkic peoples,” said Bashbaev.

He went on to say that in the current context of turbulence, it should be easier for states and people with common roots and history to unite and cooperate.

The tragic earthquake in February, which hit Türkiye and Syria, has been a “test of solidarity” for Turkic states, said Bashbaev. More than 50,000 people were killed in the earthquake.

“Kazakhstan was one of the first countries to send humanitarian aid to the Turkish people. Here, all countries showed their solidarity and unity and responded at a difficult time for Türkiye,” said the expert.

When the earthquake struck Türkiye, Kazakhstan provided $1 million in financial aid and immediately sent several crews with rescue and search officers, besides the humanitarian aid it sent to the country.

Agenda of the upcoming summit

Sharing his expectations for this week’s summit in Astana, Bashbaev said that the countries will most likely summarize the results of the OTS activities.

“For example, the issue of unimpeded cargo transportation within the Vision of the Turkic World - 2040 is being worked out now,” he added.

One of the documents expected to be discussed at the upcoming summit is the establishment of a civil protection mechanism within the OTS, including the adoption of a legal and regulatory framework for joint response in emergency situations.

The Ankara summit in March focused on disaster emergency management and humanitarian assistance following a devastating earthquake. Back then, Tokayev proposed establishing a joint force of the member states’ emergency authorities. He offered the Almaty-based Center for Emergency Situations and Disaster Risk Reduction as a platform for that.

Future of the organization

Bashbayev expressed confidence that the organization will continue growing in its strength,

“Based on the adopted documents, the organization plans to become economically strong and developed by 2040. By that time, all the legal and regulatory frameworks will be in place so that the basic four principles of the OTS - free movement of goods, services, capital and labor - will be put into effect. This will allow the organization, firstly, to boost its economy. Secondly, it will enable the organization to no longer remain a raw material base in terms of technology,” said the expert.

He also said Hungary’s participation as an observer is a “positive factor.”

“The current Hungarian leadership positions itself as an integral part of the Turkic world and a window to Europe for the OTS. The fact that a member of the European Union is an observer of the OTS is a good factor,” said Bashbaev.

The summit meeting, which will be held under the motto Turk Time, will serve as a crucial platform for high-level discussions on the extensive agenda of the organization. Besides making decisions on important matters, finalizing agreements, and endorsing official documents in fields such as economy, trade, transport, and customs, the leaders are also expected to discuss political and economic developments within the region and beyond.

The chairpersonship-in-office will pass from Uzbekistan to Kazakhstan. During the closing ceremony, heads of state will also sign the Astana Act and Astana Summit Declaration, along with several relevant resolutions.