Economy

Turkic States Eye EU Partnership: Can This $2.1T Bloc Reshape Europe-Asia Trade?

Turkic States seek EU cooperation, eyeing Middle Corridor for trade and energy, with $2.1T GDP.

October 22, 2025, 9:45 AM

The red-brick headquarters building of the Organization of Turkic States in Istanbul, with flags flying at the entrance.

The headquarters of the Organization of Turkic States, an international organization in Istanbul. By Marius Karp / Shutterstock.com.

Executive Summary

The combined Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the Turkic states stands at $2.1 trillion, with internal trade valued at $1.1 trillion, reflecting dynamic economic growth and enhanced cooperation.

A key priority for the OTS is the development of the “Middle Corridor,” an alternative, shorter, and more cost-effective connectivity network linking Europe and Asia, including China, which bypasses current conflict zones.

The Story So Far

The Organisation of Turkic States (OTS) is actively seeking deeper economic and strategic cooperation with the European Union, driven by its significant and growing combined GDP of $2.1 trillion and its position as the world’s third-largest holder of energy reserves. This push is underpinned by its strategic geographical location, which it aims to leverage through initiatives like the “Middle Corridor” — a shorter and more cost-effective trade route between Europe and Asia that bypasses current conflict zones. With most member states already holding strategic bilateral partnerships with the EU, the OTS is now keen to expand these into a multilateral framework.

Why This Matters

The Organisation of Turkic States’ (OTS) push for deeper economic and strategic cooperation with the EU, leveraging its $2.1 trillion combined GDP and significant energy reserves, signals a growing influence on global trade and energy security. The development of the “Middle Corridor” as a shorter, conflict-zone-bypassing trade route between Europe and Asia could significantly reshape supply chains and geopolitical dynamics, enhancing the OTS’s role as a critical intercontinental bridge.

Who Thinks What?

The Organisation of Turkic States (OTS) believes it is a dynamically growing economic entity with a combined GDP of $2.1 trillion, seeking deeper economic and strategic cooperation with the European Union and aiming to expand existing bilateral partnerships into a multilateral framework.

The OTS emphasizes the strategic importance of developing the “Middle Corridor” as a shorter, more cost-effective connectivity route between Europe and Asia, and highlights its members’ collective third-largest energy reserves and renewable energy potential as key areas for cooperation with European partners.

The Organisation of Turkic States (OTS) is actively seeking deeper economic and strategic cooperation with the European Union, positioning itself as a growing economic entity and a crucial connectivity bridge between Europe and Asia. This push was highlighted by OTS Secretary General Kubanychbek Omuraliev during his recent visit to Brussels, where he emphasized the bloc’s increasing economic strength and its role in developing new trade routes.

Economic Expansion and Growth

Omuraliev reported that the combined Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the Turkic states stands at $2.1 trillion, with internal trade valued at $1.1 trillion. He noted that this joint economic growth is increasing “dynamically,” reflecting enhanced cooperation across trade, agriculture, security, and technology sectors.

Strengthening EU Relations

The Secretary General stated that most Turkic states already maintain strategic bilateral partnerships with the European Union. He argued that the time is opportune to expand these relations into a multilateral framework, citing the upcoming visit of Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev to Brussels as an indicator of strengthening bilateral engagement.

The Middle Corridor Initiative

A key priority for the OTS is the development of the “Middle Corridor,” an alternative connectivity network that follows the historical Silk Road. This route, connecting Europe and Asia, including China, is strategically important, bypassing current conflict zones and offering a shorter, more cost-effective connection between the EU and China. The Middle Corridor is approximately 2,000 kilometers shorter than existing routes.

Energy Potential

The Turkic states collectively hold the world’s third-largest energy reserves and possess significant potential in renewable energy. This presents potential avenues for business and cooperation with European partners, particularly in the energy sector.

Organisation Membership

The Organisation of Turkic States comprises Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkey, and Uzbekistan as full members. Turkmenistan, Hungary, and northern Cyprus hold observer status within the bloc.

Outlook

The OTS’s strategic outreach to the European Union underscores its ambition to leverage its economic growth, energy resources, and geographical position to foster greater intercontinental trade and stability. The emphasis on a multilateral framework and key infrastructure projects like the Middle Corridor signals a concerted effort to enhance its global economic footprint.