Azernews.Az

Representatives of Turkic states and communities have agreed to pursue common policies on international issues and outlined key areas of further cooperation.
In a final report passed in conclusion of the eleventh congress of friendship, fraternity and cooperation in Baku on Monday, the participants decided to work out a concept to lay scientific, institutional and legal framework for the establishment of the Turkic-speaking States Union.
The document adopted by over 800 attending delegates from 30 countries covers creating a common Turkic language and setting up the Academy of Sciences of the Turkic world. It also envisions publication of books on common Turkic history, literature, religion and ethics, and teaching these disciplines in secondary schools.
The congress participants also recommended establishing a parliamentary assembly of Turkic states and an economic union similar to OPEC, as well as preparation of a joint project by the ministries of foreign affairs and culture to set up Turkic culture centers in Western Europe.
The Turkic states agreed to bring their foreign policies into compliance in countering the "Armenian genocide" claims.
The attendees cited the need for the assistance of Turkic states in facilitating the return of Akhiska Turks to Georgia, the land of their forefathers, and receiving citizenship.
The participating countries decided to join effort in extricating Northern Cyprus from international isolation and work closely with the world community to protect the rights of Iraq's Turkmens.
Turkic states pledged to assist Azerbaijan in conveying the realities about the conflict it faces with Armenia over Upper (Nagorno) Garabagh to the rest of the world. They agreed to take joint action to inform the international community of the mass killings, acts of terror and other crimes committed by Armenian invaders. The participants vowed political, moral and psychological support to Azerbaijan in this respect. It was recommended that the parliaments of Turkic states strive to put on the agenda and achieve international recognition of the Khojaly massacre perpetrated by Armenian terrorists against Azerbaijani civilians.
The permanent secretariat of the Congress will be set up soon with the headquarters in Turkey, co-chair of its organizing committee Abdulhalik Chay told a news conference. Agreement to that end was reached at a meeting of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Baku on Saturday.
"The congress has been of familiarization nature so far. But once the secretariat is established, it will be held to explore ways of solving existing problems," Chay said.
President Aliyev, Turkish Premier Erdogan and President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus Mehmet Ali Talat attended the three-day event. Also participating were delegations from Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Mongolia, several republics and provinces of the Russian Federation, as well as representatives of the Turkic nations of Romania, Bulgaria, Kosovo and Greece.
There are currently some 250 million people of Turkic origin in the world residing in a territory encompassing 10 million square kilometers.
President Aliyev, in his address, welcomed the fact that a number of activities have been carried out in recent years to promote integration of Turkic states. He emphasized that the next summit of these countries is due in Baku in 2008.
"The key goal of such events is to improve the organization of Turkic states and to further strengthen their positions in the world," the president said.
The Azerbaijani leader said there was ample human potential and natural resources needed for the development of Turkic states.
"We should join our resources and thus turn into a powerful force," President Aliyev said.
He went on to say that resource-rich Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan are capable of exerting major influence on the world energy market. "The combined oil and gas production in these three states is at the level of the world's largest producers."
Aliyev said all the three countries are developing while efficiently tapping their vast natural resources, while Turkey could facilitate the exports of their hydrocarbons to world markets.
He said such major oil and gas pipelines as Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan and Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum could link the entire Turkic world. "These projects have considerably altered the geo-strategic situation in the region," he said.
The head of state said the opening of a new energy corridor has strengthened the independence of Turkic states, as real independence of countries is largely dependent on energy independence.
He said the infrastructure created by Azerbaijan and Turkey could benefit the whole Turkic world. "Cooperation in this area should be further deepened and encompass more Turkic states."
Turkish Premier Erdogan said recent developments in Iraq and the Middle East could not but affect the Turkic world, which necessitated closer ties among Turkic countries. "If we don't do this, grave consequences could be in store for us."
Erdogan emphasized that Iraq's Turkmens are currently in grave condition. Northern Cyprus is still in international isolation. The rights of Turks in other parts of the world are being infringed upon as well. Erdogan said the only way out is strong unity among Turkic states, which means they should seek cooperation instead of competing with each other. "This will be beneficial for us all."
Erdogan said all Turkic states should follow the example of Azerbaijan and Turkey in this respect. The Baku-Tbilisi-Gars railway linking Azerbaijan and Turkey through Georgian territory, whose foundation will be laid in the coming days with the support of Baku and Ankara, will play a great role in building bridges in the Turkic world.
"The new rail line will give an incentive to the economic development of the participating states and increase their geo-strategic importance. The Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan and Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum oil and gas pipelines have a great weight in the international arena as well. These projects will improve the region's welfare and promote cooperation and stability."
After the statements by the Turkic leaders, the Azerbaijani president and the Turkish premier were conferred with the Orkhan Yenisey award for their contribution to strengthening cooperation among Turkic states.
Such congresses of Turkic states have been held since 1993. All the previous events took place in Turkey. During the last, tenth congress held in Anatolia in September 2006, it was decided on a proposal by attending President Aliyev to conduct the gathering in the Azerbaijani capital for the first time.