TURKPA backs Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity
By Sara Rajabova
The two-day meeting of the Council of the Parliamentary Assembly of Turkic-speaking Countries (TURKPA) in Baku came to an end with signing Baku Declaration on June 13.
Along with other provisions, the organization's support for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Azerbaijan was reflected in the declaration.
The declaration also calls for the inviolability of borders and non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries.
The document emphasizes the need for a rapid settlement of the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, which emerged in 1988 after Armenian territorial claims against Azerbaijan.
The declaration said the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement will restore peace and stability throughout the region.
The TURKPA member-states also condemned the attack on the Turkish Consulate General in Iraq's Mosul this week.
The declaration was signed by the parliament speakers of Azerbaijan, Turkey, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan.
Meanwhile, Hungary obtained an observer status in the TURKPA's fifth plenary session, which started on June 12.
The Chairman of the session, Azerbaijan's Parliamentary Speaker Ogtay Asadov said this item was included in the agenda at the request of Hungary and was discussed for a long time by the organization's member-states.
The proposal was unanimously accepted and Hungary obtained an observer status in the TURKPA.
Deputy Chairman of the Hungarian Parliament Sandor Lezsak thanked member-states.
Asadov further said TURKPA has grown into one of the most authoritative organizations in the world as a result of its activities over the last five years.
He said TURKPA cooperates with several international authoritative organizations in Europe and the world, adding that the organization has observer status in the Parliamentary Assembly of the OSCE, collaborates with the CIS Parliamentary Assembly, European Parliament and other organizations.
Speaking about the economic development in the country, Asadov said today, Azerbaijan is suffering from aggressive policies of Armenia. He hoped the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be solved peacefully.
Chairman of the Turkish Grand National Assembly Cemil Cicek said TURKPA must take a tough stance on the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan.
He said peace may be established in the Caucasus only after the occupation ends and over a million people return home.
Cicek stressed, this issue will be resolved within the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. He said Turkey raises this issue on all international platforms, noting this will be the main topic of discussion till the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan is ensured.
He called on Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan to rapidly join TURKPA, saying this is the only organization in the international arena, where Turkic-speaking countries can act within. "We will be glad to see other Turkic-speaking countries in this organization. This will help reach our goals soon."
During the meeting, Kyrgyz Parliamentary Chairman Asilbek Jeenbekov said TURKPA member-states have common history, culture, and language.
He stressed the necessity of protecting the common language of the organization from foreign influence.
Kazakh Parliamentary Chairman Kabibulla Dzhakupov said much works were conducted during the period when the first meeting of TURKPA was held five years ago in Azerbaijan.
Stressing the importance of resolving environmental problems, Dzhakupov said the economic crisis and environmental problems in the world must be included in the TURKPA agenda. He proposed to establish a commission on environment and natural resources under TURKPA.
It should be stressed that TURKPA includes Turkey, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.
TURKPA was established on November 21, 2008, according to anagreement signed by the heads of parliaments of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Turkey in the "Dolmabakhche Saray" located in Istanbul city of Turkey.
In 2009, the first plenary session of TURKPA was held in Baku. The TURKPA Regulations, Articles of Secretariat, Baku Declaration, and Statement regarding the permanent accommodation of the Secretariat in Baku city were adopted at the plenary session.
The TURKPA chairmanship is annually handed over from one country to another by means of rotation in English alphabetical order.