Turkey marks 103rd anniversary and hosts Organization of Turkic States summit

On October 29, 2026, Turkey celebrated the 103rd anniversary of the founding of the Turkish Republic, with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan leading ceremonies at the Anitkabir mausoleum in Ankara. Parallel to these national festivities, Ankara is hosting the 13th Summit of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) on October 29 and 30, assuming the rotating presidency of the bloc from Azerbaijan. The summit focuses on strengthening strategic, economic, and energy cooperation among member states, including Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.

Ahead of the summit, President Erdogan published an article titled 'The Century of the Turkic World: From Solidarity to Integration,' in which he reaffirmed Turkey's policy regarding the Turkish Cypriot community. He advocated for the recognition of their 'sovereign equality' and an 'equal international status,' while calling for the removal of what he termed 'unjust isolations.' Erdogan emphasized the expansion of the observer status held by the Turkish Cypriot entity within the OTS, describing them as an integral part of the Turkic world. In his official anniversary message, the President linked these foreign policy objectives with the concept of the 'Century of Turkey,' highlighting advancements in domestic defense, technology, and diplomacy as key pillars for the nation's future.