Diaspora groups sign paper to promote Turkic states' unity
By Nigar Orujova
Representatives of Turkic countries gathering in the Azerbaijani capital Baku for a forum on June 21 agreed to establish regional centers and promote awareness of the history and culture and present-day life of the Turkic world to support organized activity of the diaspora and coordinate the work of diaspora communities and organizations.
The Baku Declaration, adopted at the first forum of the heads of diaspora organizations of member countries of the Cooperation Council of Turkic-Speaking States, suggests taking measures to increase the influence on the social and political life of the countries where Turkic states' diaspora organizations are active; nomination to election bodies and support for influential representatives of Turkic-speaking communities.
Moreover, Turkic diaspora representatives attach importance to holding joint forums of influential business people working and living overseas, active participation of Turkic diaspora organizations in the promotion of the economic and political importance of transnational projects implemented with the participation of Turkic countries, etc.
The document also places an emphasis on the development of cooperation between Turkic-speaking communities and influential international organizations, NGOs and mass media in order to create a powerful lobby of the Turkic nations.
Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev sent a congratulatory letter to the Baku forum participants.
The forum involves over 500 representatives of 44 countries from government agencies and diaspora organizations of Azerbaijan, Turkey, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, Secretary General of the Council, Halil Akinci, said at the opening ceremony.
According to him, this is the first such event in the history of Turkish diaspora organizations.
"The time has come for the Turkish diaspora organizations to unite," Akinci said.
In turn, chairman of Azerbaijan's State Committee for Work with Diaspora Nazim Ibrahimov stressed that the Turkish diaspora is represented in the world by millions of members and needs to be united.
"One of the main objectives is strengthening unity and solidarity among the Turkic nations," he said.
During the forum a previously adopted joint strategy will be made public. The agenda also includes the areas of cooperation between diaspora organizations of Turkic-speaking countries, prospects of joint activities to address the problems facing the Turkic world, and implementation of the strategy on joint activities of the diaspora organizations of Turkic states signed in Ankara on May 14.
The event is attended by representatives of government agencies, NGOs, academic, cultural and other bodies.
Nazim Ibrahimov told the press that the cooperation of Turkic diaspora organizations will multiply the strength of the Turkic world.
"A forum of diaspora organizations of Azerbaijan and Turkey was held in Baku in 2007," Ibrahimov said. "Then Baku hosted the Turkic Congress. However, such a forum is being held with the participation of Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan for the first time. I believe that this is one of the important steps on the path of unification of the Turkic world. From now onward diaspora organizations of the four states, demonstrating unity, will multiply our strength, and the voice of these states will sound even louder. This issue is of great importance for our countries. Therefore, as newly independent states we need to be recognized in the world. In this regard, the support of the diaspora organizations of the countries with which we share common roots and common blood is of tremendous significance."
Participants of the forum sent an appeal to the leaders of the countries participating in the forum. The document says that during the discussions, the participants once again became convinced that such issues as protection and promotion of the common values of Turkic nations in the international arena, integration into the community of the Turkic-speaking peoples living in different countries, securing the rights and freedoms are the priority directions for joint activity.
"The problems encountered by Turkic states in the period of globalization, the solution of a number of crucial problems, informing the world community about their realities, restoration of justice, peace and security in accordance with the norms of international law are the major tasks facing us. Our joint activity involves not only ensuring political interests, but also establishment of bilateral and multilateral relations in the economic and cultural spheres as well as intensification of the combat against negative trends that are of concern to of all humanity. We will make every effort to further bolster the interests of Turkic-speaking states based on mutual respect, comprehensive cooperation, common values, traditional relations of friendship and brotherhood that have existed throughout history," the statement says.
The participants of the forum assured the heads of state that they will make every effort to unite more closely and ensure the unity of the Turkic-speaking peoples, protect the interests and fulfill the vested tasks.
"The continued support of the leaders of Turkic-speaking countries, special attention and care encourages us to undertake this honorable mission. By appealing to you, the heads of Turkic-speaking countries, we, the leaders of diaspora organizations of Member Countries of the Cooperation Council of Turkic Speaking-States, declare our support for your activity in the common interest of the Turkic world. We believe that the preservation of friendship and brotherhood ties between our countries will contribute to the provision of common interests and well-being of the Turkic-speaking peoples," the statement says.