On 27 February 2026, a presentation event promoting the Turkic States Organization (TDT) in Lithuania was held in Vilnius, organized jointly by the Embassies of Azerbaijan and Turkey in Lithuania, with the participation of the Embassies of Kazakhstan and Hungary.

The panel discussion, titled “Strengthening Cooperation and Connections through the Turkic States Organization – Opportunities for Closer Relations between the Turkic States and the Baltic Region”, was held at the Geopolitics and Security Studies Center (GSSC). It was attended by the Ambassadors of Azerbaijan, Turkey, and Kazakhstan to Lithuania – Tamerlan Garayev, Esra Toplu, and Timur Urazayev – the Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of Hungary, Denes Andras Nagy, officials from the Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, academics, and experts in the fields of transportation and energy.

The main speeches at the panel were delivered by Ömer Kocaman, Deputy Secretary General of the TDT; Ramil Hasan, Secretary General of TURKPA; Javanshir Feyziyev, Member of the National Assembly of Azerbaijan and member of TURKPA’s Commission on Legal Affairs and International Relations; and Taurimas Valis, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania.

TDT Deputy Secretary General Ö.Kocaman emphasized the growing geopolitical and economic importance of the organization, noting that TDT operates over 55 cooperation projects and has become a corporatized, results-oriented intergovernmental organization. He stated that there are broad opportunities for cooperation with Lithuania, particularly in trade, energy, digitalization, innovation, and transportation.

Presenting the Middle Corridor (Trans-Caspian International Transport Route) as a reliable and competitive trade route connecting Asia and Europe, Ö.Kocaman noted that increasing coordination among TDT member states has significantly improved infrastructure capacity, customs harmonization, and digital transit systems, creating new opportunities for cooperation with European partners, including Lithuania. He also highlighted specific cooperation potential in green energy, multimodal transport centers, and digital transit systems. He added that strengthening corporate interactions with third parties can be beneficial and that TDT provides an effective platform for cooperation with European partners in energy and transport.

TURKPA Secretary General R.Hasan highlighted the long-standing role of the Baltic countries as a bridge connecting regions. He emphasized the growing role of Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan in Europe’s energy security, particularly through Turkey, and noted the strategic position of Turkic states as a bridge between Europe and Asia, linking markets and transport corridors, and contributing to regional stability.

R.Hasan stated that the preliminary peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia has created opportunities for economic and energy initiatives in the region. He also pointed out that the Rail Baltica project strengthens the Baltic region’s role as a strategic gateway by connecting European and Eurasian corridors. He highlighted that TURKPA’s model laws contribute to aligning national legislation, and ratified documents accelerate cooperation.

Javanshir Feyziyev, Member of the National Assembly of Azerbaijan, emphasized Azerbaijan’s special role within TDT, noting that the country is located at the crossroads of the East–West and North–South transport routes and has become one of the region’s main logistics hubs. He specifically highlighted that the Southern Gas Corridor and other energy initiatives contribute significantly to Europe’s and the region’s energy security.
J.Feyziyev also explained the strategic importance of the Middle Corridor, connecting China, Central Asia, the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan, and Georgia to Turkey and Europe. He stated that this route provides reliable and diversified supply options for both the Turkic states and the European Union. J.Feyziyev noted that future cooperation between the Turkic states and Europe can be further developed based on mutual trust, shared interests, and sustainable development principles.

The panel discussion also noted the potential for expanding cooperation between the Turkic states and the Baltic countries, including joint activities in energy, transportation, and economic projects