Mechanisms Of Regional Cooperation And Integration In The Organization Of Turkic States

This article examines the evolution of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) from a culturally motivated cooperation platform into an emerging regional integration structure with growing geopolitical and geo-economic significance. Grounded in the intellectual legacy of early Turkic thinkers such as İsmail Gaspirali and Yusuf Akchura, the research analyzes institutional milestones including the 2009 Nakhchivan Agreement, the Turkic World Vision–2040 and the outcomes of recent summits, particularly the 2021 Istanbul Summit and the 2023 Astana Summit. The findings highlight the OTS’s hybrid institutional model, which blends intergovernmental pragmatism, economic cooperation, and cultural diplomacy. The OTS demonstrates an increasingly proactive role in connectivity, energy corridors, and regional security dialogue, particularly in the post-Karabakh geopolitical environment. However, achieving long-term strategic coherence will require further institutionalization, financial coordination, and harmonization of trade and transport regulations. The paper concludes that the OTS has the potential to consolidate into a significant Eurasian actor, contributing to multipolar regional governance and enhanced economic resilience within the broader Eurasian space.