ASSA-Irada,
17 November 2007

Representatives of Turkic states and communities gathered in Baku on Saturday for the eleventh congress of friendship, fraternity and cooperation that underscored common values and explored avenues for closer relations in a multitude of fields.

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus Mehmet Ali Talat and other leaders and top officials are attending the event, chairman of the State Committee on Work with Azerbaijanis Living Abroad, Nazim Ibrahimov, said in his opening remarks. Delegations from Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, the Russian Republic of Tatarstan, the Altay, Bashkortostan and Chuvashia republics, and Moldova's Gagauz Autonomous Province are in attendance as well. Over 800 delegates from 30 countries in total are participating at the congress.

"All this shows how vast the geography of Turkic peoples' residence is," the committee chairman said.

Ibrahimov said the primary goal of the event is to promote brotherhood and collaboration among Turkic states. Discussions will focus on cooperation in the fields of science, technology, education, economy, trade, tourism and finance, propagating common cultural heritage, conveying the realities about the Turkic world to the international community, and the impact of globalization on Turkic states.

Ibrahimov said the participants will extensively discuss a number of issues of concern, including the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over Upper (Nagorno) Garabagh, ways of extricating Northern Cyprus from international isolation, living conditions of Turkic peoples in Iraq and Afghanistan, and hurdles in the way of Akhiska Turks' return to the land of their forefathers. Important documents will be passed in conclusion.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, in his address, welcomed the fact that a number of activities have been carried out in recent years to promote integration of Turkic states. He emphasized that the next summit of these countries is due in Baku in 2008.

"The key goal of such events is to improve the organization of Turkic states and to further strengthen their positions in the world," the president said.

He said current relations between Azerbaijan and Turkey are based on wholesome grounds. "Both countries' peoples and governments are interested in cooperation and their interests overlap. This cooperation should positively affect the entire Turkic world."

The Azerbaijani leader said there was ample human potential and natural resources needed for the development of Turkic states.

"We should join our resources and thus turn them into a powerful force," President Aliyev said.

He went on to say that resource-rich Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan are capable of exerting major influence on the world energy market. "Oil and gas production in these three states is on the level of that of the world's largest producers."

Aliyev said all the three countries are developing while efficiently tapping their vast natural resources, while Turkey could facilitate the exports of their hydrocarbons to world markets.

He said such major oil and gas pipelines as Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan and Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum could link the entire Turkic world.

"These projects have considerably altered the geo-strategic situation in the region," he said.

The head of state said the opening of a new energy corridor has strengthened the independence of Turkic states, as real independence of countries is basically dependent on energy independence.

He said the infrastructure created by Azerbaijan and Turkey could benefit the whole Turkic world. "Cooperation in this area should be further deepened and encompass more Turkic states."

Turkish Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan said recent developments in Iraq and the Middle East could not but affect the Turkic world, which necessitates closer ties among Turkic countries. "If we don't do this, grave consequences could be in store for us." Erdogan emphasized that Iraq's Turkmen are currently in grave condition. Northern Cyprus is still in international isolation. The rights of Turks in other parts of the world are being infringed upon as well. Erdogan said the only way out is strong unity among Turkic states, which means they should seek cooperation instead of competing with each other. "This will be beneficial for us all." Erdogan said all Turkic states should follow the example of Azerbaijan and Turkey in this respect. The Baku-Tbilisi-Gars railway linking Azerbaijan and Turkey through Georgian territory, whose foundation will be laid in the coming days with the support of Baku and Ankara, will play a great role in building bridges in the Turkic world. "The new rail line will give an incentive to the economic development of participating states and increase their geo-strategic importance. The Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan and Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum oil and gas pipelines have a great weight in the international arena as well. These projects will improve the region's welfare and promote cooperation and stability."

The Turkish prime minister put forth specific proposals on ways of boosting cooperation. "First of all, a common language of Turkic states should be created. Moreover, Turkic history should be written and taught in schools. These steps will play an invaluable role in bringing Turkic communities closer."

Erdogan also said he backed the proposals to establish a parliamentary assembly and a council of elders of Turkic states.

Northern Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat spoke of the injustice his people had encountered. "Greek Cyprus is trying to impede Turkey's admission to the European Union by delaying the negotiating process."

After the statements by Turkic leaders, the Azerbaijani president and the Turkish premier were conferred with the Orkhan Yenisey award for their contribution to strengthening cooperation among Turkic states.

The three-day congress will continue on the level of permanent commissions on Sunday and Monday.

Such congresses of Turkic states have been held since 1993. All the previous events took place in Turkey. During the last, tenth congress held in Anatolia in September 2006, it was decided on a proposal by attending President Aliyev to conduct the gathering in the Azerbaijani capital for the first time.