The eighth Summit of heads of Turkish-speaking states began its work on November 17 in the Antalya, Turkey.

Presidents Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan, Nursultan Nazarbayev of Kazakhstan, Kurmanbek Bakiyev of Kirghizstan and Ambassador of Turkmenistan to Turkey Nurbeldi Amanbuladov were warmly welcomed at the Congress Center “Divan Talya” by President of Turkey Ahmet Necdet Sezer.

President Sezer began his opening remarks with congratulating the heads of the Turkish-speaking countries on the 15th anniversary of their states’ independence. He dwelt on the work done since the first summit in 1992 noting that considerable changes have occurred over the 14 years in all aspects of bilateral and multilateral relations between the Turkish-speaking countries. He pointed out the positive role of the summits in strengthening cooperation between the Turkish-speaking countries, and intensification of their economic and social development.

The Turkish leader said that international terrorism, religious radicalism, separatism, illegal migration, drug trafficking and other manifestations of organized crime, pose serious threat to peace and development in Eurasian region.

He said real peace, progress and cooperation in the South Caucasus only depends on resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh problem through negotiations and on the base of Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity, and reaffirmed that Turkey will continue to support the fraternal country in this issue.

President Sezer commemorated the National Leader of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev pointing out his historic role in consolidation of the Turkish-speaking nations. He said these summit meetings are built on solid foundation, and serve strengthening of friendship and fraternity between them, and establishment of peace and stability in the region.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in his speech said the difficulties Azerbaijan faced in the first years of independence are left in the past, and appreciated brotherly Turkey’s support to the county in that period.

He expressed confidence this summit will give a special impetus to strengthening ties in all fields, as well as contribute to establishment of peace in the region and the whole world. The Azerbaijani leader said cooperation between the Turkish-speaking countries was very fruitful and constructive, and, particularly, mentioned the great role of the organization TURKSOY, whose economic projects have created new opportunities for the region.

President Aliyev said that Kazakhstan’s joining the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) project, has increased its dynamism.

According to him, the BTC, as well as the Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum gas pipeline will prompt economic development, intensification of democratic processes and strengthening security in the region, and the Akhalkalaki-Kars-Tbilisi-Baku railway, despite all the artificially created obstacles, will connect Turkey with the Caucasus and Central Asian states.

On the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the Azerbaijani leader reaffirmed that Azerbaijan is seeking resolution of the problem on the base of the international legal norms, in the framework of its territorial integrity. However, he added, Armenia’s ignoring the resolutions of the international organizations, lessens hopes for the existing conflict-settling mechanisms.

Mentioning that Armenian capital Erevan is located in the ancient Azerbaijani territory, the President said that changing borders now would change geopolitical situation in the world.

He valued Turkey’s joining the European Union as demands of the times, and underlined that Azerbaijan has always supported official Ankara in this regard.

President Nursultan Nazarbayev of Kazakhstan pointed out the need to further expand political, economic and cultural ties between Turkish-speaking nations. He expressed his country’s readiness to collaborate with them in space exploration. “This year we have launched our first-ever satellite, and are planning to do the second one in 2008; we could collaborate in this area,” he said.

President Kurmanbek Bakiyev of Kirghizstan stressed the importance of implementing projects in transport and communications sectors so that Central Asian countries not to stay on the sidelines of transport networks.

Ambassador of Turkmenistan to Turkey Nurbeldi Amanbuladov conveyed greetings form his country’s President to participants of the summit meeting, and expressed confidence that its resolutions and decisions would contribute to enhancement of cooperation between the brotherly and friendly nations.

Previous summits of the heads of Turkish-speaking nations: 1992, Ankara, Turkey; 1994, Istanbul, Turkey; 1995, Bishkek, Kirghizstan; 1996, Tashkent, Uzbekistan; 1998, Astana, Kazakhstan; 2000, Baku, Azerbaijan; 2001, Istanbul, Turkey.

***

Following the break, President Ahmet Necdet Sezer hosted the lunch in honor of the Heads of States of Turkish-speaking countries. President Ilham Aliyev attended the lunch.

***

The summit was continued after the lunch break.

Presidents Ahmet Necdet Sezer of Turkey, Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan, Nursultan Nazarbayev of Turkey and Kurmanbek Bakiyev of Kirghizstan addressed the second sitting.

President Ilham Aliyev focused on a number of issues concerning challenges and problems facing Turkish-speaking nations in the region, energy security, terrorism, fight against separatism, economic cooperation. Azerbaijani Leader said the Turkish world includes the nations, which have a great potential in terms of intelligence, natural resources. There is internal stability in Azerbaijan, and it helps the cooperation. Azerbaijan supports Kazakhstan’s bid for OSCE presidency, he added.

President Ilham Aliyev said there are religious conflicts, racial discrimination, and stressed the need to fight separatism. He pointed out that Azerbaijan faced separatism and terrorism. The Head of State said Turkish-speaking countries are non-national countries, and religions tolerance in Azerbaijan can be an example for other states.

The 8th summit of Turkish-speaking was rounded off with signing the Antalya declaration. The document was inked by Presidents Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan, Ahmet Necdet Sezer of Turkey, Nursultan Nazarbayev of Kazakhstan and Kurmanbek Bakiyev of Kirghizstan.

It was agreed to hold the ninth summit in Baku.

***

Following the summit, on behalf of President of Turkey Ahmet Necdet Sezer, the official reception was given in honor of the Heads of States at the Antalya’s Sheraton Hotel. President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev was present at the reception.