Since the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, the Republic of Türkiye has strategically prioritized the cultivation of its influence within the Caucasus and Central Asian regions. This foreign policy orientation has centered on actively enhancing its political standing and forging robust partnerships, aiming to offer alternative avenues for regional cooperation alongside the established influence of major powers like Russia, Iran, and China. To realize these objectives, Ankara has adopted a sophisticated and multifaceted strategy encompassing diplomatic diversification, the strengthening of institutional mechanisms, proactive engagement in multilateral platforms, and the implementation of comprehensive initiatives to foster enduring regional integration.
To effectively implement this multifaceted strategy and institutionalize its regional engagement, the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) has emerged as a pivotal instrument. Leveraging profound shared historical, linguistic, and cultural affinities, Türkiye, as a founding member (the OTS was formerly known as the Turkic Council), has consistently played a proactive role in significantly shaping the organization’s agenda and driving Turkic cooperation towards broader and deeper integration. Ankara’s considerable political standing, its dynamic and sizeable economy, the largest among OTS members, and its strategic geographic position bridging Europe and Asia have been cornerstones of the Turkic union’s formation and evolution. This commitment is rooted in a vision of shared heritage and mutual strategic interests, translating into active efforts to foster functional collaboration across a spectrum of vital sectors.
This commitment to fostering functional collaboration across vital sectors is particularly evident in the economic sphere, where Türkiye has been a vocal advocate for enhancing intra-OTS trade, which, despite growth, still holds considerable untapped potential. Ankara has championed initiatives aimed at reducing trade barriers, harmonizing customs procedures, and promoting business-to-business linkages. A landmark achievement in this regard was the establishment of the Turkic Investment Fund (TIF), an initiative strongly backed and actively promoted by Ankara, including significant initial capital commitments. Officially established in November 2022 and headquartered in Istanbul, the TIF aims to mobilize the economic potential of member states, facilitate trade through financial support for joint projects, and underpin broader economic growth and infrastructure development. The fund prioritizes projects in SME development, physical and digital infrastructure, manufacturing, agriculture, and tourism, thereby fostering greater economic interdependence and shared prosperity.
Building upon these efforts to foster greater economic interdependence and shared prosperity through financial and trade initiatives, the transportation sector represents another critical domain where Türkiye has assumed a distinct leading role. Recognizing the strategic importance of connectivity, Ankara has been a key driver in developing multifunctional transit and trade corridors. A prime example is Türkiye’s vigorous promotion and development of the “Trans-Caspian East-West-Middle Corridor Initiative” (Middle Corridor). This route, which circumvents Russia, gained even greater prominence following geopolitical shifts in early 2022 due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Türkiye has made substantial domestic infrastructure investments to support this corridor, including the Marmaray rail line, the Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge, the Eurasia Tunnel, major port developments (Mersin, Izmir), and the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars (BTK) railway, a lynchpin of the Middle Corridor. These projects, often undertaken with partners like Azerbaijan and Georgia, have been crucial in enabling efficient and secure transit, fostering regional market integration, and providing OTS members, particularly landlocked Central Asian states, with improved access to European and global markets.
Complementing these large-scale physical infrastructure projects designed to enhance material connectivity, there is a concerted push towards “soft infrastructure.” This includes developing integrated customs and border management systems, unified regulations, common technical standards, and digital transport corridors to ensure seamless and faster transit. Trilateral and multilateral meetings involving Türkiye, Azerbaijan, and other Central Asian nations like Uzbekistan have become more frequent, focusing on enhancing coordination for the Middle Corridor, including its potential linkage with routes like the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway. This strategic alignment, born from a shared vision for enhanced connectivity and spurred by geopolitical shifts, positions the Middle Corridor and its key transit nations to play an increasingly significant role in Eurasian trade.
While this enhanced connectivity through physical and digital infrastructure underpins trade, Ankara has also been instrumental in advancing energy cooperation, another vital component of regional economic strategy, among the resource-rich OTS member states, such as Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan, and connecting them with energy-consuming markets, including Türkiye itself and Europe. These efforts span the entire energy value chain, from exploration and production to developing sophisticated distribution networks like the Trans-Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline (TANAP), a central component of the Southern Gas Corridor carrying Azerbaijani gas. Türkiye actively encourages dialogue and joint ventures in renewable energy and energy efficiency, aiming to enhance member states’ energy security and strategically position the OTS in regional and global energy dynamics.
Alongside these critical infrastructure and energy security initiatives, Türkiye has strategically utilized its advancements in domestically developed and combat-proven unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology to enhance its foreign policy objectives and bolster its credibility within the OTS. Turkish drones, notably the Bayraktar TB2 series, have gained international recognition for their operational effectiveness, reliability, and relative affordability. Ankara has facilitated the export of various military-grade UAVs to member states like Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, and Turkmenistan, enabling these nations to modernize their arsenals. Deepening this defense cooperation, Türkiye signed an agreement with Kazakhstan for the joint production of ANKA UCAVs, establishing the first overseas factory for this platform. In April 2023, Baykar Defense launched “Bayraktar Technology Azerbaijan LLC” in Baku to support Azerbaijan’s drone fleet development. The active integration of the Bayraktar TB2 by several OTS members, coupled with its performance and their strategic needs, suggests a continued expansion of Turkish-made drone inventories in the coming years, further solidifying Türkiye’s role as a key defense technology partner in the region.
While such advancements in tangible areas like defense technology bolster strategic partnerships, Ankara’s vision extends beyond functional cooperation, consistently advocating for the deepening of political and socio-cultural collaboration among OTS members. Türkiye strategically emphasizes the enduring historical, cultural, and linguistic bonds uniting Turkic peoples, championing initiatives like student and academic exchanges (e.g., the Orhun Exchange Program), joint cultural festivals, and cooperation in media and information sharing. To ensure these multifaceted social and cultural exchanges translate into enduring institutional bonds and a unified voice, Türkiye has also actively sought to represent and advocate for the collective rights and interests of Turkic communities on the international stage. Its influence within the OTS has been significant in shaping the organization’s strategic agenda and reinforcing cooperative mechanisms. Ankara’s leadership in establishing and supporting collaborative platforms such as the Parliamentary Assembly of Turkic States (TÜRKPA), the International Organization of Turkic Culture (TÜRKSOY), the Turkic Academy, and the Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation has been crucial in driving economic development, regional integration, and fostering a shared political vision. This sustained dedication to promoting common cultural and historical heritage has been pivotal in solidifying social cohesion and a shared sense of purpose among member states.
In conclusion, Türkiye’s concerted efforts to enhance its influence in the Caucasus and Central Asia underscore a clear strategic vision for regional integration and cooperation. Through its proactive and pivotal engagement within the Organization of Turkic States, Türkiye has firmly established itself as a driving force in fostering comprehensive economic, political, cultural, and defense collaboration among Turkic nations. Landmark initiatives such as the development of the Middle Corridor, advancements in defense partnerships, and the consistent promotion of shared cultural and historical ties have significantly strengthened Türkiye’s leadership role. However, Ankara’s regional ambitions are not without challenges, primarily stemming from the complex geopolitical landscape marked by the persistent presence and influence of Russia and China as significant security and economic actors. Despite these obstacles, Türkiye’s robust strategic partnerships, particularly with Azerbaijan and Central Asian states, coupled with its demonstrated ability to adapt to evolving geopolitical circumstances, position it as a key and influential player in shaping the future of the Turkic world. As Ankara continues to leverage historical connections and pursue multidimensional strategies, its role in advancing regional integration and strengthening alliances within this framework is poised for continued growth.
Vusal Guliyev is a Sinologist and Policy Analyst specializing in the geopolitical affairs of Eurasia and the Asia-Pacific region. He currently works as a Policy Advisor at the Baku-based Center of Analysis of International Relations and also serves as the Head of the Shanghai Office at AZEGLOB Consulting Group. He is also affiliated with the Topchubashov Center as an Associate Expert, a global policy think tank where he writes extensively on East Asian and Indo-Pacific affairs.
