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On 17 October 2020, the Azerbaijani Army liberated the city of Fuzuli and several surrounding villages, ending more than 27 years of occupation that began on 23 August 1993. Deputy Sevil Mikayilova told Trend, as reported by Day.Az, that the priority now is turning the victory into sustainable development, rebuilding the destroyed city and enabling residents to resettle.
The Social Democracy Party (TDP) presented 50 candidates from six electoral districts at its Candidate Ranking Congress, held at Paradise Park in Lefkoşa (Nicosia). The congress, held under the slogan “İyi Gelecek Seninle Gelecek” (A Good Future Will Come With You), was attended by party leaders, organisation representatives and many party members.
Toplumcu Demokrasi Partisi (TDP) Chairman Zeki Çeler and Secretary General Redif Ekinci went to the ballot box and voted at the ongoing Parliamentary Candidate Selection and Ranking Congress at Paradise Park in Lefkoşa (Nicosia), in Northern Cyprus (TRNC).
The Social Democracy Party (TDP), known in Turkish as Toplumcu Demokrasi Partisi, completed its Candidate Selection and Ranking Congress ahead of the 6 December general election. The congress was held at Paradise Park in Nicosia with high participation, as party members went to the ballot box to decide which candidates would run in the general election and how they would be ranked.
Kazakhstani Ambassador Bagdat Amreyev has been elected Deputy Secretary-General of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) for administrative and financial affairs, the Kazakh Foreign Ministry's press service said. The decision was taken at the 52nd session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers, in which Deputy Foreign Minister Arman Isagaliyev took part.
Batma Topoyeva-Stavinskaya, head of the state institution Kyrgyztest, told journalists that President Sadyr Japarov may not need to confirm his Kyrgyz language skills if he runs in the presidential election scheduled for 27 January 2027.
The Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan has instructed the Ministry of Finance to formalise a pledge, or collateral, on a budget loan of 26 billion soms extended to GIK. The report was published by AKIpress.
An analysis published in the Alithia newspaper, as reported by Kıbrıs Manşet, says Southern Cyprus did not meet its goal of joining the Schengen area in January this year. The article notes that no agreement among member states has been announced and that no firm date has been set for accession.
Kyrgyzstan has approved the procedure and criteria for voluntary accreditation of foreign investors. Resolution No. 697, dated 15 October 2026, was signed by First Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet Daniyar Amangeldiev.
In a written statement, Üstel said that lowering the retirement age to 55 is not possible today. He said the CTP is trying to downplay the UBP’s major achievements and present its concrete projects for the new term as if they were dreams.
Toplumcu Demokrasi Partisi (TDP) Chairman Zeki Çeler and General Secretary Redif Ekinci went to the ballot box and cast their votes at the Parliamentary Candidate Determination and Ranking Congress, which is ongoing at Paradise Park in Lefkoşa (Nicosia). The congress is set to determine and rank the party's candidates for parliament.
Kyrgyzstan's draft national budget forecasts that revenue from taxes on international trade and external operations will reach 125.4 billion soms in 2027. This is 43.8% more than the 87.2 billion soms actually received in 2025.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has congratulated Azerbaijan on its 'Restoration of Independence Day'. In a post shared from his NSosyal account, Erdoğan described Azerbaijan as a 'dear and brotherly' country and said he heartily congratulated the day on behalf of his country and nation.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres, replying to a letter from Turkish Cypriot President Tufan Erhürman, said obstacles to Turkish Cypriot cultural, sports, political and diplomatic activities are discouraging and run counter to his calls for strengthening mutual trust. According to the Presidency, Guterres answered Erhürman’s letter of 28 August with a letter dated 16 October.
Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Christodoulides accused Turkish Cypriot President Tufan Erhürman of setting “preconditions” for resuming negotiations. He criticised the Turkish Cypriot insistence on pre-accepting a rotating presidency after a settlement, arguing that all issues should be addressed at the negotiating table.
Kyrgyzstan's Foreign Minister Zheenbek Kulubaev will take part in talks with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on October 19, 2026, according to the Kyrgyz Foreign Ministry as reported by Kaktus.media. The meeting will take place in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, with the heads of diplomatic agencies of five Central Asian states attending.
The Communal Democracy Party (TDP) has begun its Candidate Ranking Congress at Lefkoşa’s Paradise Park, held to determine the order of its parliamentary candidates for the 6 December general elections. According to the party, the congress, held under the slogan “İyi Gelecek Seninle Gelecek”, will rank 50 prospective candidates from six electoral districts through votes cast by party members. Cemal Özyiğit was elected chair of the presiding board.
Uzbekistan has tightened criminal liability for sexual violence against children. Under the amended Criminal Code, raping a child under 14 and certain other sexual crimes now carry penalties up to life imprisonment. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev signed the law on October 14, and it entered into force on October 15, 2026.
Azerbaijan's Cabinet of Ministers has adopted a decision on a uniform school uniform, which some political and public circles in Türkiye have met with discontent. Speaking to Modern.az, Aydin Mirzazada, a member of the Milli Majlis committee on defence, security and anti-corruption, said it is wrong to present statements by individuals against Azerbaijan as the position of the Turkish state.
President Shavkat Mirziyoyev will visit Samarkand region on Sunday, according to a statement from the head of state's press service. The visit is scheduled for October 18–19.
In a column for AzerNEWS, Farman Aydin asks whether Ankara regards Baku as an equal sovereign partner or as an ally whose foreign policy should conform to Turkish expectations. The question comes amid controversy over oil exports through the Baku–Tbilisi–Ceyhan (BTC) pipeline. The author argues that strategic partnerships cannot rely on historical sentiment alone and require mutual respect, consistent principles, and recognition that even close allies retain the right to pursue their own national interests.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said President Donald Trump wants to use a 60-day period to assess the economic effects of sanctions and tariffs targeting Russia. Speaking to reporters ahead of his visit to Uzbekistan, Rubio also commented on Trump's signing of a decree providing for the suspension of new sanctions aimed at Russia.
Iran's parliament has elected Mehrdad Akhlaqi Ketabchi as the country's defense minister, according to a report published on 18 October 2026 by Report.az, which cited Tasnim. A total of 237 lawmakers voted in favor of his appointment.
Kyrgyzstan's Finance Ministry has set the state investment budget for 2027 at 47.3 billion soms, 6% more than in the current year. External financing is expected to total 45.1 billion soms, including 33.5 billion soms in loans and 11.5 billion soms in grants. The budget is projected to rise to 75.8 billion soms in 2028.
Today's top Turkic news: Uzbekistan-China ties, Samarkand visit, Kulubaev-Rubio talks, Northern Cyprus festival and Turkmen desertification centre.
Read today's digest →