BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 29.
The application of double standards regarding the norms and
principles of international law, combined with the difficulties
international institutions face in preventing crises, creates new
challenges for states, Azerbaijani Minister Jeyhun Bayramov said at
a meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization
of Turkic States (OTS) in Ankara, the capital of Türkiye, during
his working visit on October 29.


This was reported by the Azerbaijani Ministry of Foreign
Affairs.


In his address, Bayramov first extended his sincere
congratulations to the fraternal people and state of Türkiye on the
occasion of October 29 – Republic Day.


The minister noted that existing contradictions within the
system of international relations, ongoing conflicts, the
application of double standards regarding the norms and principles
of international law, and the challenges international institutions
encounter in preventing crises present new challenges for
states.


He emphasized the importance of cooperation based on mutual
trust, shared interests, and solidarity under these
circumstances.


Efforts undertaken following the summit held in Gabala in 2025
during Azerbaijan’s chairmanship of the OTS, aimed at strengthening
political solidarity, enhancing institutional effectiveness,
expanding economic and transport ties, and elevating the
international standing of the OTS, were highlighted. In this
context, it was noted that numerous meetings and consultations were
held at various levels in close cooperation with member and
observer states, as well as the OTS Secretariat.


Key outcomes of the chairmanship highlighted include the
strengthening of political dialogue and coordination among national
institutions in the security sphere, the convening of a meeting of
the secretaries of the Security Councils of the OTS member states
in Baku, and the adoption of a Roadmap for 2027 that envisages
joint production and technological cooperation within the defense
industry. At the same time, the importance of expanding cooperation
in the fields of trade, investment, transport, energy, finance,
digital development, innovation, and new technologies was
underscored.


During the speech, it was noted that humanitarian cooperation,
the preservation of a shared historical and cultural heritage, and
the strengthening of ties between the OTS member states’ peoples
were among the key priorities during Azerbaijan’s chairmanship. In
this context, the significance of the "Turkic World Week",
dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the First Turkological
Congress, the inaugural meeting in Shusha of the heads of state
agencies responsible for religious affairs, and the 7th meeting of
the Council of Heads of Muslim Religious Administrations of the OTS
member states, held in Baku, was emphasized.


Bayramov characterized the four informal meetings of foreign
ministers held throughout 2026 as a significant indicator of the
continuity of political dialogue and the coordination of positions
on regional and international issues. By way of example, the speech
noted that the Joint Statement adopted during the Istanbul meeting
expressed solidarity in the face of threats to the security of
Azerbaijan and Türkiye, while the meeting in New York underscored
the importance of continuing joint diplomatic efforts toward
securing observer status for the OTS at the UN General Assembly.
The speech also pointed out that the practice of circulating the
joint statements of the OTS as official documents of the UN General
Assembly and the Security Council has been initiated.


The speech noted that the "OTS+" format, established at the
Gabala Summit, creates new opportunities for cooperation with third
countries and international organizations. The importance of
effectively utilizing existing mechanisms, ensuring the
implementation of adopted decisions, strengthening the activities
of national institutions, and enhancing the monitoring and
coordination role of the Organization’s Secretariat in the future
was emphasized.


At the conclusion of his speech, the minister expressed his
gratitude to the member and observer states, as well as to the
Secretary General and the Secretariat of the OTS, for their support
and active participation during Azerbaijan’s chairmanship. He also
expressed his confidence that cooperation would continue during
Türkiye’s upcoming chairmanship and wished the Turkish side every
success.


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