On November 12, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov took part in the VIII Summit of Heads of State of the Cooperation Council of Turkic-Speaking States (Turkic Council).

In addition to the head of Turkmenistan, the Summit was attended by the presidents of Turkey, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, as well as the Prime Minister of Hungary and the Secretary General of the Turkic Council. The official website of the Summit says that its theme this year is "Green technologies and smart cities in the digital age."

During the meeting, its participants decided to change the name of the Turkic Council to the Organization of Turkic States, to create a Turkic Investment Fund, and also approved the Vision of the Turkic World-2040, which sets out the medium-term and long-term goals and objectives of the Organization.

At the suggestion of Turkish President Recep Erdogan , Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev was awarded the "Supreme Order of the Turkic World" by the Council of Heads of State in recognition of the historic victory that ensured the liberation of the territories of Azerbaijan and the restoration of its territorial integrity.

The State Information Agency TDH emphasizes that "one of the significant events of this Summit is the entry of Turkmenistan into this Organization in the status of an observer."

In his speech, the head of state called this decision "an important historical event that marks the beginning of a qualitatively new stage in the interaction of Turkmenistan with the Turkic-speaking states."

Then the head of state voiced his proposals to improve the work of the Council.

The President proposed expanding relations between countries within the UN, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) and other structures. In particular, to develop a strategy for the effective participation of the Union of Turkic-speaking states in the activities of the UN (in case of full consensus on this item, it was proposed to start a preliminary diplomatic procedure in the General Assembly in the near future, and then to come up with a general draft resolution);

In connection with the growing regional tension, it was proposed to intensify diplomatic cooperation to prevent the aggravation of conflicts.

Touching upon the transport theme, the President noted that “the Turkic-speaking states form a“ natural belt ”in the Eurasian space, which will connect Asia and Europe through transport and energy links. This is the shortest and safest way for the supply of energy resources, goods and services to the largest markets in Asia, Europe and the Middle East along the East-West and North-South routes. "

"In this context, it means projects to create energy systems according to the Caspian region-Turkey-Europe scheme, as well as transport and logistics corridors designed to revive the Great Silk Road," Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said and suggested adopting a unified strategy of the Turkic-speaking states in this direction.

In addition, it was proposed to start developing a General strategy for the development of low-carbon production and the creation, under the auspices of the UN, of an international "Roadmap" for the development of hydrogen as one of the priority directions in the energy sector.

At the summit, the chairmanship of the Organization was transferred from Azerbaijan to Turkey, and the heads of state adopted the Istanbul Declaration.

Source: Chronicles of Turkmenistan