Azernews.Az

Turkic states have reached agreement to set up a joint parliamentary assembly that will work to boost relations and implement joint projects.
Representatives of Azerbaijan, Turkey, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan signed a letter of intent to establish the body, said MP Rafael Jabrayilov, who attended the first meeting of the Turkic states' Inter-Parliamentary Council.
The goal of establishing the body to comprise lawmakers from Turkic states is to work out a centralized mechanism in the form of a parliamentary union, coordinate political views and exchange experience.
Jabrayilov said an agreement on establishing the assembly will be signed at a meeting of parliament speakers in May.
The protocol was signed by vice-speakers of the four countries. Under the document, the parliamentary assembly's meetings will be held at least once a year in the chairing country.
The MP said chairmanship in the organization would be in alphabetical order and last one year.
Each member state will delegate an equal number of parliamentarians to the assembly. Their number will be determined based on the importance of the issue being discussed.
Jabrayilov said the reasons for Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan's missing the meeting were unknown. However, other Turkic states co-signing the protocol could take part in establishing the assembly as well.
The lawmaker underscored the importance of the decision. "I highly value the agreement reached to set up the assembly. This is important from the viewpoint of Turkic states' adhering to a common stance. This agreement is of historic importance."