About the Ludovika Center for Turkic Studies 

The Ludovika Center for Turkic Studies (LCTS), established within the Ludovika University of Public Service, Budapest, stands at the strategic crossroads of Central Europe and the Turkic world. It serves as Hungary’s leading platform for academic, strategic, and cultural cooperation with the Turkic world, reflecting the country’s commitment to deepening ties with Turkic states amid shifting global geopolitical realities. 

Historically, Hungary’s orientation toward the Turkic world is rooted not only in economic interests but also in profound historical and cultural narratives. The state’s “Eastern opening” policy, officially announced in 2010, was designed to diversify Hungary’s economic dependencies beyond Western, particularly EU, partners. This foreign policy vision as based on Hungary's perception as a bridge between East and West—a concept symbolized by Hungary’s observers status in the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) since 2018. 

LCTS was founded to institutionalize Hungary’s strategic engagement with the Turkic region. The Center’s core mission is to foster deep understanding of Turkic societies, facilitate language learning, promote high-impact research, increase student mobility, and strengthen Hungary’s diplomatic presence in the area.  

Beyond education, LCTS operates as a modern think tank—delivering expert analyses on regional geopolitics, energy security, the Middle Corridor, the evolution of the Organization of Turkic States, and the resilience of global supply chains. Through policy briefs, annual reports, and collaboration with prominent analysts from across the Turkic world and beyond, the Center aims to inform both decision-makers and the wider public on the evolving dynamics shaping Central Eurasia. 

LCTS actively organizes strategic forums, expert roundtables, and student diplomacy initiatives, fostering a vibrant intellectual community bridging Hungary and the Turkic states. The Center’s annual Turkic Forum in Budapest and a growing academic network with partner universities reinforce Hungary’s role as a leading European hub for Eurasian studies and diplomatic cooperation. With ongoing expansion in academic programming and international partnerships, LCTS is set to become a cornerstone of Hungary’s academic diplomacy and a catalyst for pragmatic foreign policy adaptation in a changing global order.