Baku, October 3, AZERTAC

Secretary General of the Cooperation Council of Turkic Speaking States (Turkic Council) Baghdad Amreyev has issued a message on the occasion of 3rd October, the 10th Anniversary of Nakhchivan Agreement and the Cooperation Day of Turkic Speaking States.

The message says: “Today, we are celebrating the 10th anniversary of the signing of Nakhchivan Agreement by the Presidents of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Turkey. This is an historical milestone in the cooperation process of the Turkic Speaking States in institutionalizing their joint political will under one roof by establishing the Turkic Council as an international organization.

Dedicated to the historical spirit of this date, 3rd of October is celebrated as the Cooperation Day of Turkic Speaking States, which has more significance this year taking into account recent developments in the cooperation of Turkic world. We are delighted to see that the friendly and brotherly Uzbekistan has decided to join the Council on the eve of the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the Turkic Council and that the constructive cooperation and relations, arising from centuries-old historical ties, in the Turkic world continue to grow stronger.

Turkic Council, as a young organization at its tenth year, has made significant progress in a very short period of time. From political to economic cooperation, from transport to youth and sports, education to tourism, in various fields, activities and work have been undertaken and concrete projects have been developed. Through many successful cooperation activities in the international platform, it has gained the deserved place and reputation both regionally and internationally, and has made significant contributions to the environment of stability and prosperity in its region and beyond.

Since Cholpon-Ata Summit (2018), the Turkic Council has seen its most intense and productive year in terms of its activities in various areas of cooperation. For the first time in 10 years of the establishment of the Council, the members of the Organization have expanded: Uzbekistan joined the Turkic Council as a full Member; Hungary received observer status in the Turkic Council and the Turkic Council opened last month its European office in Budapest to work with the European Union, European countries and international organizations based in Europe.

Important work was done to intensify the economic dimension of the cooperation within the framework of the Turkic Council. Turkic Council has started to take active and leading role in some areas, especially in the field of economy and commerce. The Turkic Chamber of Commerce and Industry, was officially inaugurated on 17 May 2019 in Nur-Sultan as an economic body of the Turkic Council, to realize concrete and productive projects that meet the needs and requirements of the business communities in the Turkic Speaking States. Moreover, we are about to complete the feasibility studies and groundwork of another important project aiming to establish the Turkic Investment Fund, which is planned to be finalized soon.

With the progress it has achieved in last 10 years, the Turkic Council with its new vision, is now ready to take more solid steps and to continue to work more for the implementation of the objectives set forth in Nakhchivan Agreement, and for further strengthening solidarity and cooperation among its Member States.

It is obvious that the upcoming Summit, which will be dedicated to the theme of “Development of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs), will mark a historical event with the attendance of all the Heads of State, as well as it will constitute a platform to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the Turkic Council with various activities.

Turkic Council, which is the outturn of the political will, aiming at the integration of the Turkic world and is based on common values such as history, culture and language, has proved its existence as being the main umbrella organization stimulating the cooperation among the Turkic Speaking States.

We express our deep gratitude to the Member States and to the Heads of State for their permanent and continuous support. With this vigorous support, the Turkic Council will undoubtedly continue to develop concrete projects that will undertake further tasks and strengthen cooperation among its Member States.

On the occasion of this important day, we congratulate all the Turkic-speaking nations and communities together with our Member States, and wish that the cooperation of the Turkic world will last forever.”