Istanbul: Civil society leaders from across the Turkic world gathered in Istanbul on Thursday for the Turkic World Consultation Meeting, hosted by the Justice and Development (AK) Party. Speaking at the opening of the meeting, AK Party Deputy Chairman and Head of Relations with Turkic States Kursad Zorlu emphasized that the stability and growing global influence of the Turkic world is a cornerstone of the Turkish government's foreign policy.

According to Anadolu Agency, Zorlu said the "Century of Trkiye" vision launched by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has reached a new phase with the 'Century of the Turkic World.' He noted that Turkic states have recently established an organizational model that was once considered unthinkable. Zorlu remarked, "This is a diplomatic success," highlighting that at the 2021 Istanbul Summit, heads of state transformed what was once a vague concept into the Organization of Turkic States (OTS). He stressed that this organization is not ordinary, reflecting shared history and achieving institutional recognition on the international stage.

Zorlu mentioned that cooperation among Turkic states continues in nearly 34 fields, adding that energy, trade, defense, technology, innovation, cultural diplomacy, academic collaboration, and transportation have become priority areas in this new century. He stated, "The Turkic world is not a geographical border but an atlas of hearts," highlighting Trkiye's recent strides in its national and domestic defense industry, which have generated strong excitement across the Turkic world.

Highlighting the region's growing economic power, Zorlu said Turkic states have reached a combined production volume of over $2 trillion. He detailed that around $50 trillion in production is concentrated around the Turkic world, with the EU, China, India, the Middle East, and Russia forming significant economic neighbors. Zorlu emphasized that Erdogan's leadership and Trkiye's strategic position are vital in shaping a shared future for the Turkic world, stating, "The Turkic world is a matter above politics. We see it this way, and with the vision of our president, we are steadily moving forward into 'the Century of the Turkic World' together."