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Azerbaijan takes over TURKPA chairmanship

18 December 2019 17:24 (UTC+04:00)
Azerbaijan takes over TURKPA chairmanship

By Rasana Gasimova

Azerbaijan has assumed the chairmanship of the Council of the Parliamentary Assembly of Turkic-speaking Countries (TURKPA) from Turkey as the council held its 9th meeting at the Milli Majlis in Baku on December 18, local media report.

Addressing the event, Speaker of the Turkish Grand National Assembly Mustafa Sentop praised the activities of TURKPA member countries. He noted that the Azerbaijani parliament, led by speaker Ogtay Asadov, always supported the activities of the TURKPA, and the parliaments of Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan also took important steps in this direction.

He stressed that as a result of these activities the council reached 11 years and became a symbol of the unity of the Turkic peoples, sharing a common history, language and culture. Sentop invited other Turkic states to join the TURKPA. He also emphasized that Turkey always supports the liberation of occupied Azerbaijani lands.

Chairman of the Azerbaijani parliament Ogtay Asadov noted that for more than 10 years of the Council’s activities, three TURKPA’s main events have been held in Baku. He noted that the Council contributes to the development of in the political, economic, cultural ties and other fields, which indicates the effective activity of the organization.

Asadov said that in the upcoming period, the Council’s activities will focus on improving national legislation and preparing model laws of member countries, strengthening the work of commissions, and the continuing programs for the exchange of experience between parliamentary systems. He added that Azerbaijan would take all necessary measures to achieve the goals of the TURKPA in the coming period.

Asadov said that over the recent years, important events have been held to popularize TURKPA in the international arena. The organization currently has observer status in the Inter-Parliamentary Union, the Parliamentary Union of the OIC Member States, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation, the Asian Parliamentary Assembly, and the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia.

He went on saying that an agreement was reached on the participation of TURKPA as a guest in the activities of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly. Cooperation has been established with the European Parliament and CIS Interparliamentary Assembly. He also emphasized that the TURKPA Secretary General is a member of the Association of Secretaries General of Parliaments, which testifies to the international authority of the organization.

Ogtay Asadov noted that the TURKPA International Observers Mission has been observing presidential and parliamentary elections in member countries for 9 years, adding that the mission will continue its activities and will observe the parliamentary elections in Azerbaijan country in 2020.

He further said that during the chairmanship, Azerbaijan will support the development of cooperation between the diasporas of the Turkic world, and the implementation of relevant projects, and will pay particular attention to strengthening mutual activities. In conclusion, Asadov noted that TURKPA, which is steadily turning into a more organized force, will successfully fulfill all the tasks and become an effective tool to solve the problems of its member states.

Speaking at the event, Chairman of the Mazhilis of the Parliament of Kazakhstan Nurlan Nigmatulin and Chairman of the Jogorku Kenesh Dastanbek Djumabekov touched upon the place and role of Turkic-speaking peoples on the geopolitical map of the world. They noted the importance of maintaining peace and tranquility. They spoke about ensuring security in the region. It was emphasized that the common activity within the framework of the TURKPA will support the development of the Turkic world.

The role of parliamentary diplomacy was praised at the meeting. The importance of preparing model laws in the framework of TURKPA was noted. It was noted that the adoption of laws supporting small and medium-sized businesses will serve to strengthen economic ties between the countries.

Nigmatulin and Djumabekov also spoke about measures to be taken in the social, cultural and humanitarian spheres. They expressed hope that Uzbekistan and other Turkic-speaking states will join TURKPA.

Discussions on the topic of “Parliamentary diplomacy in the Turkic world: strengthening regional cooperation in the interests of peace and security” were held at the meeting, and relevant decisions were made. The Baku Declaration was also adopted at the event.

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