The Turkic world is seeking to move beyond its shared historical and cultural heritage towards closer economic cooperation and more coordinated strategic engagement. Against the backdrop of a changing geopolitical balance in Eurasia, strengthening the Organization of Turkic States, developing the Middle Corridor and expanding ties between Türkiye, Azerbaijan and the countries of Central Asia are becoming increasingly important.

How can political will be translated into tangible economic results? Can the Turkic world emerge as an independent geopolitical centre while maintaining balanced relations with China, Russia and the European Union? And what role can Azerbaijan play in this process?

In an interview with CASPIA, Kadir Ertaç Çelik, PhD, Assistant Professor in the Department of International Relations at Ankara Hacı Bayram Veli University and International Relations Adviser at the ANKASAM think tank, addresses following questions.

— What strategic message should the Ankara Summit convey, and what significance could it have for the future development of the Turkic world?

— In my view, the Ankara Summit should mark a new phase in the development of the Turkic world. We must move beyond our shared history and cultural ties and focus on building a common strategic vision. In today's increasingly competitive international system, the Turkic states have the potential to become influential actors in Eurasia. The real question is whether we can translate this potential into concrete results in trade, energy, transportation and security. I believe the time has come to turn political will into strategic action.

— Shared history, culture and identity unite the Turkic states. What needs to be done to ensure that these common bonds lead to deeper economic and political integration?

— Our common identity is one of the greatest strengths of the Turkic world, but identity alone is not enough. We need stronger economic ties, institutional cooperation and a shared understanding of our long-term interests. Of course, every state has its own national priorities, and these must be respected. However, this should not prevent us from developing a common strategic perspective. The objective is not to eliminate national differences, but to build a stronger Turkic world in which our interests complement and reinforce one another.

— What role does Azerbaijan play in strengthening ties between Türkiye and Central Asia, and why is its geographical position of strategic importance to the Turkic world?

— Azerbaijan holds a central position in the geopolitical architecture of the Turkic world. The brotherhood between Türkiye and Azerbaijan is much more than a bilateral relationship; it is one of the fundamental pillars of Turkic cooperation. Azerbaijan connects Anatolia with the South Caucasus and Central Asia, making it indispensable to the development of the Middle Corridor. By strengthening transport, energy and trade networks, we can transform this strategic partnership into a lasting source of regional influence. As we often emphasise, the strength of Türkiye and Azerbaijan also contributes to the strength of the entire Turkic world.

— Could a common economic space for the Turkic states emerge in the future? Which areas should form the foundation of this process?

— I believe that cooperation among the Turkic states should gradually evolve beyond bilateral relations into a more integrated regional economic framework. Türkiye has a strong industrial base, Azerbaijan occupies a strategic position in regional connectivity, and Central Asia offers significant resources and expanding markets. These advantages are complementary. Our priority should be to facilitate trade, encourage mutual investment and connect our production and transportation networks. We do not need to rush towards a single economic model; we need a realistic and gradual process that produces tangible benefits for all participating states.

— How should the Turkic states manage their relations with China, Russia and the European Union while preserving their own strategic autonomy?

— The Turkic states should pursue an independent and balanced foreign policy based on their national interests. Türkiye's foreign policy experience demonstrates the importance of maintaining relations with different centres of power without becoming dependent on any single one. We can develop economic cooperation with China, Russia and the European Union while strengthening our own strategic capacity. The Turkic world should not be positioned against any external actor. Rather, it should emerge as an independent geopolitical centre capable of protecting its interests and making its own decisions. Strategic autonomy begins with having alternatives. The broader the range of partners and opportunities for cooperation, the greater the scope for independent decision-making and the lower the risk of one-sided dependence.

— What institutional changes are needed to make the Organization of Turkic States more effective and enable it to deliver more tangible results?

— The priority should be to make the Organization of Turkic States more effective in practice. We need stronger economic coordination, joint investment mechanisms, better transport connectivity and closer cooperation in areas such as cybersecurity and regional security. These initiatives should be supported by clearly defined objectives and effective implementation mechanisms. I do not believe institutional development should be measured solely by the number of agreements signed. What matters is whether these agreements improve our economic relations, strengthen our security and increase our collective influence. We need institutions that deliver results.

— Can the Turkic world become an independent geopolitical and economic pole in Eurasia, capable not only of responding to international developments but also of influencing them?

— The Turkic world has the potential to become one of the major geopolitical and economic centres of Eurasia. Our geographical position connects major markets, energy resources and transportation routes. However, geography alone does not create political and economic power. Strategic vision, economic capacity and coordinated action are equally important. Türkiye, Azerbaijan and the countries of Central Asia each bring distinct strengths to this process. If we can combine these strengths within a common strategic framework, the Turkic world will be in a much stronger position to shape regional developments rather than simply respond to them.

— How can Azerbaijan help turn political declarations about Turkic unity into concrete economic projects? Is the development of the Middle Corridor sufficient to achieve this goal?

— Azerbaijan can play a leading role in transforming the idea of Turkic cooperation into a practical reality. Its strategic geographical position, energy infrastructure and close partnership with Türkiye provide a strong foundation for regional connectivity. The Middle Corridor is particularly important, but our ambitions should extend beyond transit. We must encourage joint investments, industrial cooperation, technology partnerships and stronger commercial ties between Türkiye and Central Asia. Our goal should be to create economic value across the Turkic world. Azerbaijan is not merely a bridge between regions; it is a strategic partner in building a more connected and influential Turkic world.

— What practical steps should the Turkic states take over the next three to five years to strengthen economic integration and enhance their position in Eurasia?

— If I had to identify one priority, it would be to establish a functioning framework for economic cooperation with concrete and measurable objectives. The Middle Corridor should be a central component of this effort, alongside trade facilitation, joint investments and industrial partnerships. We must ensure that the political momentum behind the Organization of Turkic States produces tangible economic outcomes. The Turkic world has already demonstrated the strength of its shared identity and political will. The next challenge is to turn that strength into economic prosperity, institutional capacity and lasting geopolitical influence. In my view, this should be our principal strategic objective for the coming years.