Esteemed participants of the Congress,

Dear friends,

First of all, I would like to express my deep gratitude to my dear brother, Prime Minister of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan for inviting me to attend the Congress.

I feel so happy to be here in brotherly Turkey again. This Congress is of great importance. I am sure the Congress’ decisions will also be important as it will analyze what has been done and achieved for the past time, as well as will define outstanding tasks. I do not doubt the participants of the Congress will be working hard in various commissions for its decisions to be of practical significance.

What we want is known. It was described very well today. We want the Turkish world to be united, the unity to be stronger, our cooperation to be many-sided, and, in general, the Turkish world to turn into an internationally important factor. There is every reason for that.

As you know, after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, a number of new Turkish speaking states emerged. The today’s cooperation between these countries, of course, makes each of them stronger. In particular, in the first years of our independence, we had a great need in Turkey’s support, and all of the Turkish-speaking states felt this support. We are feeling this even today. That is why are grateful to Turkey, the people of Turkey. However, with the transition period in the history of our independence completed, our states have gained large potential too. Nowadays, the processes taking place in the Turkish speaking states, their activities and increasing potential, for their part, already become a support to Turkey.

The Turkey-Azerbaijan relations are now at the highest point; by dear friend and brother, Recep Tayyip Erdogan today has mentioned it. These relations are based on the following: our historic roots, our ethnic belonging, our language, our culture, our national and spiritual values and traditions. On the other hand, these relations are determined by ideas and sayings by the two outstanding persons. “Joy of Azerbaijan is joy of Turkey, and Grief of Azerbaijan is grief of Turkey” by the great leader Mustafa Kamal Ataturk, and “Turkey and Azerbaijan are one nation, two states” by national leader of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev were said in different socio-political situations. They are rather different from historical standpoint, as well. These thoughts and ideas, however, like in the past, and like today, will always strengthen the eternal unity between Turkey and Azerbaijan. These words determine the direction of relations between both states and people. It also is evident from the name of the congress - Congress of the Turkish speaking states and communities.

Interstate relations, of course, are implemented according to the existent practice. These relations, the Turkish-Azerbaijani relations are connected by the principles of fraternity, friendship and now at the economic, political and cultural fields these relations are high level.

It is also of great importance to resolve the questions in all other fields, which give impulse to these relations. From this point of view, meeting of intelligentsia, conducting conferences, congresses, sustainable links among the public figures, Members of Parliament are of great importance. Our strength is in our unity. Today, the ongoing processes in Azerbaijan, the large-scale projects Azerbaijan is implanting, in turn, make certain contribution to the entire Turkic world, and strengthens it. The Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline and Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum gas main have completely changed the situation in region. These projects will define long-term development strategy of region. It will strengthen both our economic and political positions and we already see it. The roads connecting Azerbaijan and Turkey with the Central Asia, the energy corridors, realization of the Kars-Tbilisi-Baku railway will create absolutely a new situation in world. We should efficiently use this situation. Because we cerate this situation. If we should not create these, they would not exist. Nobody recommended these to us. None has done this instead of us. We have done this. Once recognized as a legend, these projects, thanks to efforts of our peoples, courage and policy of the heads of state, have become reality, and during long years, in political, economic and other fields, will create great opportunities for our nations. Therefore, unification of the Turkic world today is significance and we have nice chance to do this.

We speak much about this. We speak much about unity and it is necessary, and I reiterate, out public, the community should be very active in this. The factors to strengthen this unity are available. The economic, energy factors, political relations, common views to external questions, joint activity on international organizations, our coordinated policy, mutual support – of course, all these bring us closer.

The world globalizes. At the same time, the discrimination questions are enough, and we watch it. We have to adapt ourselves to this situation. We have to combine and shake hands strongly to gain much power. Today, the Turkic world has huge potential, and the Turkish speaking states headed by Turkey, economically, politically, and in other sphere, successfully develop. The world processes will get notable influence as a result of development of our region, and we watch this. From this standpoint, out Congress is of vast importance. I have no doubt that all the questions we are concerned, will be discussed at this Congress, and the major, nice recommendations be given, the states and governments will benefit this.

Today, the countries have delegated large number representatives to our Congress. Delegations of all Turkish-speaking states are available. It proves that the accomplishments reached in independence years connect our countries much more. It shows that we think over the activity of the Turkic world in the years coming, are concerned and we should strengthen power of the Turkic world by our valid activity, and we do this. I am convinced that the Congress and strengthening of our cohesion as a result, will give resonance both in region and Europe, and over the world.

We have to conduct congresses, conferences often. Simultaneously, I consider that conducting of similar arrangements in the foreign countries, in the European countries will be of vast significance. It is because we should introduce ourselves, and present out potential. Sometimes we have been falsely made subject to negative estimation and behind this is the Armenian lobby with hostile position against Turkey and Azerbaijan. We nicely know this, and feel it. We are opposed by Armenians, an insidious and organized lobby, with huge financial support and backed by some hypocritical politicians. We have to expose their propaganda, frustrate it, and not only for defense. We have to attach, because we are fair. Look, Armenia, who has territorial claims against Turkey, does not recognize Turkey’s borders and reject offers of the Turkish government on opening of the archives, carries out propaganda campaign against Turkey throughout the world, and wants the notorious “genocide” to be recognized. The State of Armenia, from the territorial point of view, locating in the historically Azerbaijani lands, once the territory of Iravan khanate and around it, created in the Azerbaijani lands, now has territorial claims against Azerbaijan and wants to annex our territories through aggression. 20 percent of our lands are under occupation, ethnic cleanse policy was pursued, and as a result of this, over 1 million of Azerbaijanis were driven from their homelands. Nevertheless, the Armenian propaganda always keeps us in target. We have to attack, frustrate their propaganda based on false and lie, and unite our efforts to restore the truth. Azerbaijan will never agree to create the second Armenian state in its lands. Azerbaijan will mobilize its opportunities and by use its political, diplomatic, economic, military chances, will liberate its native lands.

I reiterate that we have to act abroad in high level. From this standpoint, the Diaspora organizations should paid special attention. Our Diaspora organizations closely cooperate abroad. Joint projects and actions of the Turkish and Azeri Diaspora in the foreign countries are very successful and I am convinced that in the coming years we shall have reliable opportunities. I consider that in the coming year we must discuss the question of conducting the forum of heads of the Turkish and Azerbaijani Diaspora organizations. I offer to conduct the first forum in the first half of next year in Azerbaijan to analyze and direct joint activity of our Diasporas.

In a word, we have a lot to do. We should unite the Turkic world much more and not remain indifferent towards the ongoing process in Turkic world. We have to support each other constantly, and take part in resolution to our problems. I am sure, thanks to common efforts, the Turkic world will gain enormous opportunities, powerful political stance, and thus, our plans will successfully be realized. We do wish this. And today’s Congress is an important step in this cause. I wish success to all participants of the Congress. I am grateful to heads of the organizations (TUDEV and TIKA) for organizing this Congress and wish success and triumph to entire Turkic world.