UPSC Prelims 2022 Q83: Current Affairs – International Organisations & Groupings
Consider the following countries:
1. Armenia
2. Azerbaijan
3. Croatia
4. Romania
5. Uzbekistan
Which of the above are members of the Organization of Turkic States?
- (a) 1, 2 and 4
- (b) 1 and 3
- (c) 2 and 5
- (d) 3, 4 and 5
Answer: (c) 2 and 5
Explanation
Organization of Turkic States (OTS)
Founded in 2009 as the Turkic Council and renamed the OTS in 2021, with its secretariat in Istanbul.
| Country | Turkic-speaking? | OTS status |
|---|---|---|
| Armenia | No (Armenian) | Not a member |
| Azerbaijan | Yes | Member |
| Croatia | No (Slavic) | Not a member |
| Romania | No (Romance) | Not a member |
| Uzbekistan | Yes | Member (joined 2019) |
Full members: Turkey, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan.
Observers: Hungary, Turkmenistan and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.
Answer: (c) 2 and 5.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Armenia and Romania are not Turkic States or OTS members.
- (b) Incorrect. Armenia and Croatia are not OTS members.
- (c) CORRECT. Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan are full members of the OTS.
- (d) Incorrect. Croatia and Romania are not members; only Uzbekistan here is.
Key point
OTS (2009 Turkic Council, renamed 2021): Turkey, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan; observers Hungary and Turkmenistan.
Remember
OTS members: Turkey, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan.
Common mistakes
- Including Armenia because it is near Azerbaijan; the two are rivals and Armenia is not Turkic.
- Picking Romania or Croatia because Hungary (a European State) is an observer.
- Forgetting Uzbekistan joined in 2019.
Exam tip
Turkic = language family. Check which countries speak a Turkic language.
Sources
- Organization of Turkic States — Member and Observer States
- Ministry of External Affairs — Central Asia briefs