The 17th Meeting of the Council of Elders (CoE) of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) was held on May 1–2, 2025, in Girne, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). The meeting marked a historic occasion as it was the first time the CoE gathered in the TRNC, reflecting the region’s growing importance within the Turkic world.

During the sessions, the Council reviewed the implementation of the recommendations from the 16th CoE Meeting, which took place in Budapest in November 2024. The participants discussed ongoing projects and evaluated the success of the initiatives launched at OTS summits. The Elders emphasized that the strong will and support of the Heads of State are pivotal for the progress and international standing of the OTS.

Secretary General of the OTS presented updates on the ongoing activities and briefed the Council on the preparations for the upcoming Informal Summit in Budapest and the Formal Summit in Baku. Key topics included regional cooperation, economic partnerships, and cultural initiatives aimed at strengthening unity among Turkic states.

The Elders expressed their gratitude to the TRNC for its warm hospitality and successful organization of the meeting, highlighting the symbolic significance of holding such a key event in Girne.