On May 21, at the Informal Summit of the Organization of Turkic States in Budapest, leaders highlighted significant economic investments, regional cooperation initiatives, peace efforts, and digital and energy projects aimed at enhancing integration and stability among Turkic states.

Addressing the Informal Summit of the Heads of State of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) held on the same day in Budapest, Ilham Aliyev, the President of Azerbaijan, stated that Azerbaijan’s investments in OTS member states exceed $20 billion and announced that the Turkic Investment Fund would begin operations this year.

He emphasized the importance of digitalizing the Middle Corridor and mentioned ongoing work on a unified digital platform to facilitate transport and trade among Caspian ports, with Azerbaijan providing key transit services through its fleet of over 50 trade vessels.

He stated that the alliance and brotherly relations between Azerbaijan and Türkiye, founded on international law, create a solid basis for regional stability. The President of Azerbaijan noted that millions of people have been displaced due to armed conflicts and racial discrimination, adding that Armenian radicalism and extremism inflicted unprecedented suffering on Azerbaijanis during and after the First World War, with hundreds of thousands expelled from their lands and subjected to mass killings. He emphasized that systematic ethnic cleansing of Azerbaijanis occurred in “Western Azerbaijan” (present-day Armenia) in 1918–1921, 1948–1953, and 1987–1991, leaving no Azerbaijanis in Armenia and severing the overland connection between mainland Azerbaijan and Nakhchivan through the 1920 transfer of Western Zangezur to Armenia.

Sadyr Japarov, the President of Kyrgyzstan, announced that the OTS would adopt a declaration on Afghanistan during the summit, underscoring its significance as a reflection of the Turkic states’ position on global affairs.

Viktor Orban, the Prime Minister of Hungary, stated that relations with Turkic states have gained increasing importance for Hungary over the past seven years and expressed appreciation for Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s peace efforts between Russia and Ukraine, noting that Hungary mitigated the war’s impact through cooperation with Turkic states. Orban also commented on the ongoing energy crisis in Europe and highlighted Hungary’s growing economic ties with Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan.

Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, the President of Kazakhstan, announced at the summit that a representative office of the OTS would soon open in Kazakhstan and stressed the importance of simplifying customs procedures to strengthen economic ties. He congratulated the President of Azerbaijan for ensuring Europe’s gas supply and mentioned the upcoming opening of a third railway link between Kazakhstan and China to expand regional transport capabilities.

Kassym-Jomart Tokayev highlighted the necessity of utilizing the OTS’s potential to diversify global supply chains for energy and resources, expressing gratitude to the President of Azerbaijan for supporting Kazakhstan’s energy export initiatives. Tokayev noted discussions about the Trans-Caspian oil and gas pipeline and announced the launch of a fiber-optic cable project across the Caspian Sea to enhance digital connectivity. He also called for joint action to address natural disasters, citing the serious environmental and economic risks posed by the declining Caspian Sea level.

Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the President of Uzbekistan, proposed establishing a joint Turkic States university to foster cooperation in science and highlighted Uzbekistan’s recent accession to the Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation as a significant step in strengthening cultural ties.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the President of Türkiye, declared during the summit that Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev would go down in history as a leader who brought peace to the region, describing the peace treaty text between Azerbaijan and Armenia as a critical step.

Kubanychbek Omuraliev, the Secretary General of the OTS, announced the adoption of the Budapest Declaration at the summit, a comprehensive document outlining a roadmap for regional economic integration, harmonization of customs procedures, infrastructure development, and digital transformation, while prioritizing green energy corridors and coordinated regional security measures.

Peter Szijjarto, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Hungary, stated at a joint press conference with Kubanychbek Omuraliev that Hungary’s energy security would be impossible without cooperation with Turkic states. He emphasized the importance of economic, security, and energy collaboration, noting that despite global economic challenges, Turkic states have grown economically, increasing their GDP by 20% and intra-OTS trade turnover by 50%.

At the same press conference, Szijjarto praised Türkiye’s mediation efforts in the Russia-Ukraine conflict and welcomed the recently finalized peace agreement text between Armenia and Azerbaijan, calling it proof that long-standing conflicts can be resolved. He also mentioned the adoption of a statement on Afghanistan at the summit.