Turkish politician explained why Russia cannot become an observer in the OTS
In accordance with the rules of the Organization of Turkic States, for a particular country to obtain observer status in the organization, one of the Turkic languages must be recognized as a state or official language across the entire country, stated Kürşad Zorlu, Deputy Chairman of the Justice and Development Party in Turkey. Admission to the OTS+ format, however, may be considered by the members from the perspective of their strategic goals.
Turkish politician explained why Russia cannot become an observer in the OTS
Inviting Russia to the Organization of Turkic States with observer status does not comply with the organization's internal rules. This was stated by Kürşad Zorlu, Deputy Chairman of Turkey's ruling Justice and Development Party, responsible for relations with Turkic states.
At the OTS summit held in Ankara on October 30, President of Kazakhstan Tokayev proposed granting Russia observer status in the organization or adding it to the OTS+ cooperation format. Kürşad Zorlu, in a comment to the Anadolu agency, called this issue "a very delicate and important matter."
Zorlu explained that, according to the rules established at the 2021 Istanbul summit, a state wishing to obtain observer status must recognize a Turkic or related language as a state or official language nationwide. In Russia, Tatar, Bashkir, and other Turkic languages have official status in certain republics, but no such status exists nationwide.
At the same time, the OTS+ format established last year could be an alternative path for Russia. According to the Turkish politician, if Russia submits an official application, its proposal will be considered from the perspective of the organization's strategic goals and common interests. This would require the consent of all members.
Continuing his remarks, the Deputy Chairman of the Justice and Development Party suggested raising the issue of restoring cultural cooperation with the republics of Turkic peoples within Russia in the framework of the TÜRKSOY organization.
According to Kürşad Zorlu, TÜRKSOY, established in 1993, is the main platform for cultural ties between Russia and the Turkic world. The republics of Altai, Tuva, Chuvashia, Bashkortostan, Yakutia, and Tatarstan within the RF held observer status in TÜRKSOY, but by Russia's 2015 decision, these republics' cooperation with TÜRKSOY was effectively frozen, and no mutual meetings or joint events have been held since then.
Earlier, Russian presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov, reacting to the Kazakh leader's proposal, stated that the RF's participation in the OTS would be "understandable and expedient," but noted that Russia has not yet received an official invitation.