Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his Kazakh counterpart, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, agreed Wednesday on the eve of the 13th Organization of Turkic States summit to strengthen bilateral cooperation and enhance the regional bloc.
Tokayev arrived in Ankara and was personally greeted by Erdogan at the airport — a rare gesture from the Turkish president — before heading to an official welcoming ceremony at the presidential complex, Turkey’s state-run Anadolu news agency reported.
During their meeting, the two leaders discussed expanding bilateral collaboration in trade, investment, energy, transportation, and the defense industry, according to a statement from the Turkish presidency.
The Kazakh presidency said the agenda centers on strengthening the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two nations, with a target of expanding bilateral trade to $15 billion.
Erdogan also pledged to boost the standing of the “family assembly,” as the Organization of Turkic States meeting is commonly referred to in Turkey. Besides Turkey and Kazakhstan, the organization comprises Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Azerbaijan.
Turkmenistan, Hungary, and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus — recognized solely by Ankara — hold observer status in the body, established in 2009. The 13th summit starts Thursday in Ankara.
Following the meeting, held under the motto “Unity in language, thought, and deed,” Turkey will assume the organization’s rotating presidency. EFE
