At the twelfth summit of the Organization of Turkic States, which took place in Gabala, the main focus was not on an extensive list of decisions but on the new reality in which development is occurring. Negotiations between Baku and Yerevan are finally beginning to bear fruit, and the Zangezur corridor, as a key element, brings the project of creating a transport route from the Caspian Sea to the Mediterranean closer. If this corridor is implemented, Central Asia could take an important place in the infrastructure of Eurasia, reducing the distance between China and Europe, lowering logistics costs, and strengthening the positions of the countries in the region on the international stage.
The main conclusion from Gabala is that the OTS is becoming not just a symbolic union but is actively managing processes. Leaders are discussing important aspects such as the unification of security norms, ongoing political consultations, harmonization of transit rules, and recognition of electronic documents. This indicates maturity: real mechanisms are being added to declarations, and working groups and roadmaps are being added to summits. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan clearly stated: the organization has ceased to be a cultural club and has transformed into a platform for strategic unity. The member countries strive to align their approaches in security, politics, and economics so that this is reflected not only in press releases but also in practical aspects such as train schedules, tariffs, and industrial development.
Central Asia is becoming increasingly attractive to global players such as the European Union, the USA, China, and Gulf countries. The geographical location of the region is its strong point, allowing it to become an important transport hub despite the lack of ocean ports. However, logistics used to be a weak point: fragmented rules, "paper" borders, and unpredictable timelines. Currently, these problems are being addressed: unified regulatory solutions such as electronic permits and simplified border procedures are replacing disparate procedures. As a result, the Middle (Trans-Caspian) corridor is becoming not just a beautiful scheme but a real route that can bring economic growth to the region for many years to come.
The dynamics are impressive: in 2021, about 800,000 tons of cargo passed through the Middle corridor, and by 2024 this figure could reach 4.5 million tons. Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan are increasing the capacity of their ports, while Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan are working on modernizing internal sections and dry ports, synchronizing their procedures with the electronic systems of their neighbors. Specific plans include reaching a level of 10 million tons by 2027 and 15 million tons by 2030. With the introduction of e-Permit, e-TIR, and e-CMR, the route can begin to compete not only in bypass routes but also in speed and cost.
The Zangezur corridor fits harmoniously into this picture. It connects mainland Azerbaijan with Nakhchivan, creating a continuous land link between Azerbaijan and Turkey. This will lead to improvements in the entire logistics network from the Caspian Sea to the ports of the Mediterranean, providing businesses with predictability and reducing risks. For states, this means reducing dependence on a single direction and less vulnerability to external shocks. If the political development of Baku and Yerevan coincides with the technical readiness of the corridor, the region will be able to seize a unique opportunity.
Economic indicators are also encouraging. According to the EBRD, the economy of Central Asia is expected to grow by about 5% in 2024 and may accelerate to 6% in 2025. The main growth factors are raw material exports, infrastructure investments, and gradual reforms. Kazakhstan, as the largest economy in the region, is approaching a GDP mark of 300 billion dollars, supporting growth through oil and gas, metallurgy, transit, and diversification into machine engineering and digital services. Uzbekistan, with a GDP of over 130 billion dollars, is demonstrating even higher growth rates by developing the private sector and information technology. Kyrgyzstan, although smaller in size, shows some of the highest growth rates due to construction, mining, and domestic demand. Turkmenistan, while developing more slowly, remains an important player in energy and logistics due to its gas resources and geographical location on the Caspian Sea. The demographic situation in these countries also contributes to growth: a young population is shaping the labor market and consumer demand, initiating a long wave of industrialization.
Global players are watching the unfolding events with interest and are beginning to act. China is increasing trade volumes and investments in infrastructure, the European Union is offering standards and financial resources, while the USA is focusing on critical sectors and security issues. In this new configuration, the OTS is not opposing anyone but is seeking to expand opportunities for its members. A pragmatic approach does not replace one flag with another but adds routes and sources of funding. Business understands this logic best, as it reflects in delivery times and service costs.
The summit in Gabala was an important milestone where the Organization of Turkic States finally transitioned to practical tools. The main outcome is the launch of the "OTS+" format, which provides flexible frameworks for cooperation with external partners. This format does not impose political or military obligations on countries but offers specific projects in areas such as trade, transport, logistics, energy, and digital transformation. This reduces tension around the "closed bloc" and opens doors for investments from the EU, Gulf countries, Japan, India, and other players, allowing them to participate on terms comfortable for them.
An important aspect is the transformation of the Middle (Trans-Caspian) corridor from a concept into a real service. The principle of "corridor as a service" is being established: coordination of schedules, unified tariffs, prioritization of containerization, and, importantly, integration with the future Zangezur direction. The goal is simple – to make the China-Europe route via the Caspian predictable and competitive in terms of timing and price. When logistics from the Caspian to the Mediterranean becomes seamless, Central Asia will be able to avoid dependence on several directions and increase its weight in global trade.
The third important change is the creation of digital compatibility at borders and ports. Countries have agreed to accelerate the implementation of electronic systems e-Permit, e-TIR, and e-CMR, as well as mutual recognition of electronic signatures and the creation of a "single window" for cargo. This may seem technical, but every exporter will feel the benefits: reduced queues, fewer errors, and penalties for downtime.
The fourth aspect is the creation of a new economic architecture. Initiatives to form an Economic Cooperation Council, an industrial alliance, and "green corridors" have received support. Through "OTS+", these mechanisms become accessible to external partners, facilitating the synchronization of standards, access to financing, and localization of production. For businesses, this means fewer fragmented rules and more clear opportunities for inclusion in regional supply chains.
The fifth element is related to coordination in the field of security. This is not about militarization but about trust: sharing experiences, common crisis response standards, and readiness for joint exercises. Without predictability at borders and infrastructure, long-term investments are impossible, and thus the economic agenda is directly linked to security. Gabala fixed this in practical terms, without loud statements.
How can we ensure that the summit's decisions are working and not going unnoticed? In the coming years, indicators of success will include reduced transit times through the Middle corridor, clear progress on the Zangezur route, full electronic document flow without "paper forks," transparent and sustainable tariffs, as well as the first major projects with external partners within the "OTS+" framework – from port equipment to "green" energy and industrial clusters. Ideally, the region's economic growth should be based not on the luck of the raw material cycle but on productivity, which includes infrastructure, standards, digital services, and the export of manufactured goods. If this trend continues, Gabala will be remembered as the moment when Turkic unity became a real working platform.
The material was prepared by the editorial team of the Civil Diplomacy Foundation – an independent Ukrainian analytical and communication organization founded in 2017. The goal of the Foundation is to strengthen Ukraine's international ties, develop expert dialogue, and create platforms for long-term cooperation between Ukraine and the countries of Central Asia and the South Caucasus.
