“Turkic World Dialogues: Shared Future, Shared Vision” Panel Held in Nicosia
A panel titled “Turkic World Dialogues: Shared Future, Shared Vision” was held at the Assembly of the Republic’s Zalihe Çavuşoğlu Conference Hall in Nicosia.
The event was attended by President Tufan Erhürman, Speaker of the Assembly Ziya Öztürkler, the fifth President Ersin Tatar, Turkish Ambassador to Nicosia Ali Murat Başçeri, main opposition Republican Turkish Party (CTP) Leader Sıla Usar İncirli, 28th Mechanized Infantry Division Commander Major General İlker Görgülü, along with government ministers, members of parliament, and other distinguished guests.
Commencing with a moment of silence and the playing of the Turkish National Anthem, the gathering featured a screening of a video themed “Turkic World: Shared Memory, Shared Will, Shared Future.”
The opening address was delivered by Turkish Ambassador Ali Murat Başçeri, while Prof. Dr. Burhanettin Duran, head of the Directorate of Communications of the Republic of Turkey, addressed attendees via a video message.
Discussions during the event evaluated existing cooperation and future prospects across several sectors, notably education, the economy, transport, energy, science and technology, the defence industry, media, and culture. The panel aimed to raise the regional and global visibility of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS), convey the shared vision of the Turkic world to diverse audiences, and foster academic, cultural, and social exchanges among member and observer nations.
In his speech, Ambassador Başçeri noted that the panel series was originally scheduled to launch in the TRNC, but was postponed following a tragic maritime accident on August 30, extending his condolences to the victims. He stated that the final leg of the series was now being held in Northern Cyprus, pointing out that the foundations of the OTS were laid 17 years ago with the Nakhchivan Agreement.
Recalling that the organization adopted its current name at the 2021 Istanbul Summit, Başçeri remarked: “As the Turkic world, we will further strengthen and consolidate our unity and solidarity at the 13th Summit to be held in Ankara at the end of the month.” He added that the TRNC, as an integral part of the Turkic world, would be represented at the summit by President Tufan Erhürman.
Başçeri announced that the term presidency of the OTS would transition from Azerbaijan to Turkey for a one-year tenure, stressing Turkey’s determination to turn the human, economic, and strategic potential of the Turkic world into collective prosperity.
Reflecting on the famous ideal of Crimean Tatar intellectual Ismail Gaspirali—“Unity in language, thought, and deed”—Başçeri underlined that this philosophy guides their shared path through consultation, cooperation, and connectivity. He described the TRNC’s role within the OTS as vital, calling it the organization’s “outpost” and “shining star” in the Eastern Mediterranean.
He noted that the TRNC hosted the 17th Meeting of the OTS Council of Elders last year and became an observer member of the OTS Turkic Academy in November 2025. Başçeri added that the TRNC actively contributes to the academy’s work, mentioning that the “Turkic Economies Report 2025” and “Agricultural Policies in Turkic States 2025” reports were unveiled in Nicosia in cooperation with the TRNC Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Cyprus Foundations Administration (Evkaf).
Başçeri affirmed that it is crucial for the OTS to show solidarity against the unjust embargos imposed on Turkish Cypriots, concluding his remarks by reciting an excerpt from the 8th-century Bilge Khagan inscriptions on unity and sovereignty: “Unless the blue sky collapses above, or the dark earth splits below, who can destroy your state and your laws?”
In his video message, Prof. Dr. Burhanettin Duran stated that the Directorate of Communications organised the panel series across Turkic capitals ahead of the upcoming 13th OTS Summit in Turkey. He emphasised that common history, language, and cultural heritage bind the Turkic world together, giving direction to its present and vision to its future.
Duran pointed out that the international system faces complex challenges including geopolitical rivalry, fragile supply chains, climate change, irregular migration, and disinformation. In response, he called for collective wisdom and strong coordination, noting that the OTS serves as an anchor for regional peace, connectivity, and economic development through initiatives like the Trans-Caspian Middle Corridor and joint efforts in energy, digital economy, AI, and disaster relief.
Highlighting the strategic weight of media and communications, Duran cautioned against hate speech and digital manipulation, urging stronger institutional collaboration to enhance crisis response and make Turkic culture and heritage more visible in the digital space. He concluded that the OTS Council of Foreign Ministers Meeting on October 29 and the Leaders’ Summit on October 30 in Ankara will mark significant turning points in institutional integration.
The subsequent panel session was moderated by Prof. Dr. Mustafa Aydın of Kadir Has University. Speakers included AK Party Konya MP and Chairman of the Inter-Parliamentary Turkey-TRNC Friendship Group Orhan Erdem, TRNC Representative to the OTS Council of Elders Oktay Öksüzoğlu, Turkologist and AK Party Deputy Head of Relations with Turkic States Meryem Aybike Sinan, and International Final University academic Prof. Dr. Ulvi Keser.
