The operational mechanism of the Turkic Council is based on discussing every issue in detail, thoroughly studying and analyzing desires of member countries, and carrying them to the signing stage. Areas coordinated by the Turkic Council are expanding as relations among its member countries continue to develop. There are currently 12 areas that we coordinate:

1) Foreign Affairs; 2) Customs; 3) Education; 4) Culture; 5) Tourism; 6) Sports; 7) Economy; 8) Industry; 9) Taxes; 10) Transportation; 11) Information technology and innovation; 12) Communications and infrastructure.

This was stated by Ramil Hasanov, Secretary General of the Cooperation Council of Turkic Speaking States.

He said any matter brought up to develop cooperation in these areas is first discussed in Istanbul with the participation of officials from member state’s related ministries as well as relevant diplomats of the Council.

“Later on, ministers hold discussions and documents adopted are submitted to us. As the secretary general of the Turkic Council, we bring up final documents at the annual summit of heads of state and report them. Draft resolutions are then presented to the summit, and after draft resolutions are signed by heads of state, we carry out control on the execution of resolutions passed. I would to stress one point that the Turkic Council owes its dynamic and effective activity to the strong political will of the heads of state of the four member states. That very political will enables us to bring our activity to standards of international organizations,” he noted.


R. Hasanov said some people liken the Turkic Council to a non-governmental organization.

“It is quite wrong. The Turkic Council is an official international organization established to expand cooperation between the four member states. From this perspective, we consider the Turkic Council “mini-model of the European Union”. All international organizations, including the United Nations, OSCE and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation recognizes the Council just so. We are not a military block, but a political and economic organization aimed at developing relations between fraternal countries on the basis of voluntariness, consensus and mutual respect. The main objective of the Turkic Council is to contribute to peace, stability, economic welfare, tolerance and rapprochement between peoples. We have no religious, linguistic and racial differences. We rest on universal and humanistic values. The Turkic Council includes Astana-based Academy of Turkic World, Baku-based TURKPA and Turkic Cultural Heritage Foundation, as well as Ankara-based TURKSOY,” he added.

To the question about the non-accession of Uzbekistan to the Council, as well as the fact that despite the participation of Turkmen president in the Council Summit on September 16, 2010, Turkmenistan still refuses to join the Council, R. Hasanov said the document on the establishment of the European Union was signed by only 3 countries, but now the EU includes 28 countries.

“The Turkic countries are located in a region with rich natural resources. The Turkic Council aims at improving the welfare of the people in the region and providing them with a happy future. Therefore, from the very beginning we wanted Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan to take an active part in the Turkic Council. We remain hopeful and want Uzbekistan to join the Council. Our doors are always open. As for Turkmenistan, we are extremely satisfied with its activity in the Turkish Council within the past two years. The deputy prime minister of Turkmenistan attended our summit held in Gabala in 2013. And we were also pleased with Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov’s participation at the Bodrum summit in June. Officials of Turkmenistan’s relevant bodies continue to attend our summits. I believe that the probability of joining the Turkic Council in other countries in the near future is high. Our main condition is that one of the official languages of the countries wishing to join the Council is the Turkic language. From this perspective, I would advise to closely follow the policy of Hungary. The Hungarian delegation asked the TURKPA with the intention of becoming a member with observer status, and the delegation visited Baku for this purpose. We discussed this issue and accepted Hungary as an observer member of TURKPA. With respect to Hungary’s accession to the Turkic Council, if we are applied in this regard, the decision about Hungary’s accession will be taken by the heads of the Turkic Council member states. Maybe, in the future other countries such as Macedonia and Albania will apply to cooperate with us. It’s known that there are 30 million people of Turkic origin in Russia. If Russia welcomes any cooperation with the Turkic Council, we will stand ready to discuss it and pass necessary decisions,” he completed.

/apa/

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