Turkic states set up co-op council
The Turkic states established a cooperation council
following a summit in the Azerbaijani town of Nakhchivan on
Saturday. A document setting up the council was signed by the
presidents of Azerbaijan, Turkey, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.
Turkmenistan was represented at the summit by the country`s
vice-premier.
The goal of the new organization is to step up the role of the Turkic states on the world stage, boost economic relations and develop culture, which is underlied by the common historical roots of the regional countries.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, in his remarks, said drastic changes have occurred in the expansion of bilateral and multilateral relations between the Turkic states since their first summit was held in 1992. The next summit will be held in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan in August 2010.
President Aliyev noted that Azerbaijan backs the further strengthening of unity among the Turkic states and nations.
``We know that defending your stance on the world stage is not that easy sometimes. But if we stand together, adhere to a common positon on certain issues and strengthen this unity through regular activities, our international positions will be stronger.``
Aliyev emphasized that the Turkic states command a lucrative location, vast natural resources, oil and gas fields, robust economies, as well as human skills and new infrastructure, adding ``if we put all these opportunities together and combine them, the Turkic states will turn into a powerful force on the world scale.``
Turkish President Abdullah Gul, Kazakhstan`s Nursultan Nazarbayev, Kyrgyz leader Kurmanbek Bakiyev and Turkmenistan`s Vice-Premier Hidyr Saparliyev also pointed to considerable advances in expanding the Turkic states` bilateral and multi-faceted ties and made proposals on how to bring them to a higher level.
During his address, the Azerbaijani president touched on the Upper (Nagorno) Garabagh conflict his country faces with Armenia. Aliyev said talks on resolving the long-standing dispute are in their final stage. He added that negotiations will be continued to reach a solution consistent with Azerbaijan`s territorial integrity, and this is the only option to settle the conflict.
Aliyev said cooperation with Armenia would be possible only after it has pulled its troops out of the occupied Azerbaijani territories.
Turkish President Gul said it is time to settle all conflicts flaring in the South Caucasus based upon the territorial integrity of the countries involved. According to Gul, Ankara attaches particular importance to Azerbaijan`s integrity.
``The time has arrived to end the occupation of the Azerbaijani territories,`` Gul said. ``We wish for the Upper Garabagh conflict to find a solution through dialog and by diplomatic means and for peace and well-being in the entire South Caucasus region to be restored. But, needless to say, this wish can be realized only after the occupation has been ended.``
The goal of the new organization is to step up the role of the Turkic states on the world stage, boost economic relations and develop culture, which is underlied by the common historical roots of the regional countries.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, in his remarks, said drastic changes have occurred in the expansion of bilateral and multilateral relations between the Turkic states since their first summit was held in 1992. The next summit will be held in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan in August 2010.
President Aliyev noted that Azerbaijan backs the further strengthening of unity among the Turkic states and nations.
``We know that defending your stance on the world stage is not that easy sometimes. But if we stand together, adhere to a common positon on certain issues and strengthen this unity through regular activities, our international positions will be stronger.``
Aliyev emphasized that the Turkic states command a lucrative location, vast natural resources, oil and gas fields, robust economies, as well as human skills and new infrastructure, adding ``if we put all these opportunities together and combine them, the Turkic states will turn into a powerful force on the world scale.``
Turkish President Abdullah Gul, Kazakhstan`s Nursultan Nazarbayev, Kyrgyz leader Kurmanbek Bakiyev and Turkmenistan`s Vice-Premier Hidyr Saparliyev also pointed to considerable advances in expanding the Turkic states` bilateral and multi-faceted ties and made proposals on how to bring them to a higher level.
During his address, the Azerbaijani president touched on the Upper (Nagorno) Garabagh conflict his country faces with Armenia. Aliyev said talks on resolving the long-standing dispute are in their final stage. He added that negotiations will be continued to reach a solution consistent with Azerbaijan`s territorial integrity, and this is the only option to settle the conflict.
Aliyev said cooperation with Armenia would be possible only after it has pulled its troops out of the occupied Azerbaijani territories.
Turkish President Gul said it is time to settle all conflicts flaring in the South Caucasus based upon the territorial integrity of the countries involved. According to Gul, Ankara attaches particular importance to Azerbaijan`s integrity.
``The time has arrived to end the occupation of the Azerbaijani territories,`` Gul said. ``We wish for the Upper Garabagh conflict to find a solution through dialog and by diplomatic means and for peace and well-being in the entire South Caucasus region to be restored. But, needless to say, this wish can be realized only after the occupation has been ended.``
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