AZE.US
President Ilham Aliyev said in Kazakhstan that the Turkic world should become one of the influential geopolitical power centers of the 21st century.
Aliyev made the remarks on May 15 in Turkistan, where he attended an informal summit of the heads of state of the Organization of Turkic States.
The Azerbaijani president thanked Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev for the hospitality and said Turkistan carries special meaning for the Turkic world. He noted that after Shusha was liberated from occupation, Turkistan became the first city to establish sister-city ties with Azerbaijan’s cultural capital.
Aliyev pointed to the close relationship between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan, saying this was his eighth visit to Kazakhstan in the past five years, while Tokayev had visited Azerbaijan six times during the same period. He said a joint declaration signed four years ago elevated bilateral relations to the level of alliance.
The president said the Organization of Turkic States is gaining international weight and strengthening its role in global affairs. He also noted that the format of informal summits, first held in Shusha in 2024, is now becoming a tradition.
A major part of Aliyev’s speech focused on digital development and artificial intelligence. He said the world is entering a new stage shaped by digital technologies and AI, and Turkic states should be among those at the forefront of that transition.
Aliyev said Azerbaijan has established a Digital Development Council, a National Artificial Intelligence Center and an Artificial Intelligence Academy. He also said the country adopted an AI strategy last year, with priorities including the development of the AI industry, training of qualified specialists and wider use of AI in public administration.
According to Aliyev, fixed broadband internet coverage in Azerbaijan has reached 100%, while work continues to move public services onto a single digital platform.
The president also highlighted the Digital Silk Way project, which is designed to connect Europe and Asia. A key part of that project is the Trans-Caspian fiber-optic cable line between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan, which Aliyev said is expected to be launched in the coming months.
Transport connectivity was another major theme. Aliyev said the importance of the Middle Corridor is growing under current global geopolitical conditions. He added that the Zangezur corridor, now being implemented, will become one of the key segments of the Middle Corridor.
He also referred to efforts to simplify customs procedures along the route. Within the Organization of Turkic States, the e-Permit system has been developed to allow faster issuance of electronic permits.
Aliyev said Azerbaijan will continue working to strengthen the Organization of Turkic States.
At the end of the meeting, the heads of state signed the Turkistan Declaration of the informal OTS summit, as well as a decision on the appointment of a deputy secretary-general of the organization.
AZE.US