Turkic Council wants to 'strengthen solidarity'

ISTANBUL

The four nations of the Turkic Council have agreed to set a common agenda for the body to become a rising political and economic star in Eurasia.

Speaking during the second meeting of the council’s Foreign Policy Research Centers in Istanbul on Monday, Ramil Hasanov, Turkic Council secretary-general developing regional cooperation among member states was essential.

"Today, the Turkic Council members – Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Turkey – have found a favorable climate to strengthen solidarity as well enhancing the existing economic and political cooperation among Turkic countries," Hasanov said.

Stating that the council focused on the maintaining peace and stability in the region as well as promoting cooperation and coordination, Hasanov added:

"Since its establishment in 2009, the council has made meaningful progress in contributing to building a stronger relationship among the engaged Turkic states."

Ali Resul Usul, chairman of the Center for Strategic Research (SAM) of Turkey’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said current global economic and political crises required close cooperation among the Turkic world.

"I hope that today we will designate our medium and long-term plans altogether," Resul said.

Indicating that the Turkic Council is "a good-natured organization", Resul said: "The structure of the council has focused on building a stronger Eurasia, in peace and harmony."

Resul said that recent economic and political developments in the world also had affected the Turkic region.

"Realizing the potential in developing regional cooperation, especially in economic dimensions, among the Turkic states has a vital importance," he said.

The council members last met in Astana, Kazakhstan on Sep. 10-11 last year.

The council is also an umbrella organization for existing cooperation mechanisms such as the Turkic Business Council, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Turkic Speaking Countries (TURKPA), the International Organization of Turkic Culture (TURKSOY), Turkic Academy, and Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation.