Speaking in Astana, Erdoğan said the inclusion of the TRNC in the summit reflects growing cooperation within the Turkic world and underlined the strategic importance of strengthening economic and cultural ties across the region.
“We are pleased that the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus will be represented at tomorrow’s summit as an observer,” Erdoğan said.
Erdoğan made the remarks during a joint press conference with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev following bilateral talks and the sixth meeting of the Turkey–Kazakhstan High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council.
He said the two countries had reviewed cooperation across a wide range of sectors, including trade, transport, energy, health, mining, culture, education, technology, and defence industry.
“We have held extensive discussions on further advancing our cooperation. We continue to encourage our business communities to increase investments in Kazakhstan and strengthen our partnership,” Erdoğan said, adding that new agreements were signed during the meeting.
“Middle Corridor Gaining Strategic Importance”
Erdoğan highlighted the growing significance of the Middle Corridor, describing it as the modern equivalent of the Silk Road.
“The importance of the Trans-Caspian East–West Middle Corridor is becoming clearer each day,” he said. “Together with Kazakhstan and other partners, we will continue to promote this route not only for goods transportation but also for the transfer of energy resources to the West.”
He added that Turkey aims to deepen cooperation with Turkic states across a vast geography stretching from the Eastern Mediterranean to Central Asia under the principle of “unity in language, thought, and action.”
Education, Energy And Cultural Cooperation
Erdoğan also said steps were being taken to open two schools of the Turkey Maarif Foundation in Kazakhstan, thanking President Tokayev for his support.
He noted that Kazakhstan played a key role in Turkey’s energy diversification efforts and said Ankara aims to increase the volume of Kazakh oil transported via Turkey to global markets.
Referring to the aftermath of the February 6 earthquakes, Erdoğan expressed gratitude for Kazakhstan’s support, saying the solidarity demonstrated by the Kazakh state was strongly felt by the Turkish people.
He also thanked Tokayev for awarding him the “Khoja Ahmed Yasawi Order”, describing it as a symbol of the “unbreakable brotherhood” between the two countries.
“We Reviewed Regional And Global Issues”
Looking ahead to the informal summit of the Organization of Turkic States in Turkistan, Erdoğan said regional and international developments had also been discussed during his talks with Tokayev.
He reiterated Turkey’s appreciation for Kazakhstan’s contributions to Turkic unity and concluded his remarks with a Kazakh phrase meaning “many thanks.”