news.az, Azerbaijan
Oct 223 2011
We should make efforts to unite Turkic world even closer – Azerbaijani leader
Sat 22 October 2011 07:33 GMT | 3:33 Local Time
The first Summit of the Cooperation Council of Turkic States took
place in Almaty on 21 October.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev also attended the summit.
Azerbaijani President was met by Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev.
President Aliyev addressed the summit. President Ilham Aliyev said in
his address:
News.Az publishes a full transcript of the president’s speech,
translated from state-run news agency AzerTAj.
‘Distinguished Nursultan Abishevich!
Distinguished heads of delegations, dear friends!
First and foremost, I want to express my deep appreciation to
Nursultan Abishevich for excellent organization of this summit and the
hospitality towards us. With a sense of satisfaction I want to say
that I have been in your beautiful country for already third day.
Yesterday my next official visit to Kazakhstan took place. I want to
reiterate that we attach very great importance to our efforts to
develop bilateral ties with Kazakhstan. Our bilateral relations are
multifaceted. At the same time they have a very positive impact on
links between the Turkic states.
Our peoples are linked by common history and common roots. But, as
President Nursultan Abishevich noted, our independence is only 20
years. These 20 years were decisive years for our countries. Basis of
statehood were formed in our countries in these years. We carried out
fundamental economic and political reforms over these years. We saw in
the course of 20 years that our countries were able to take their
rightful place on the world map. It is natural that Kazakhstan is
hosting the first summit of the Cooperation Council of Turkic-speaking
States as it has made a tremendous contribution to development of
integration processes in Eurasia. The organization of this summit
itself once again emphasizes the role of Kazakhstan.
I am very happy that our meetings have become a wonderful tradition.
As you know, the summit of Turkic-speaking countries was not held out
for a while. But these meetings have been held regularly for the past
three years. A similar meeting was held in Nakhchivan in 2009, in
Istanbul in 2010 and is being held in Almaty today. I am confident
that this tradition will be continued in subsequent years. Each
meeting has a great meaning. Decisions made in these meetings
reinforce our unity even more. We want to take ties between all the
Turkic-speaking countries in both bilateral and multilateral formats
up to an even higher level.
As for Azerbaijan, we have beautiful business and cordial relations
with all the Turkic states. We value these relationships. We
successfully cooperate in a multilateral format and within various
international organizations. Mutual support in international
organizations, of course, makes us even stronger. We are making
progress in the UN, OSCE, Organization of Islamic Cooperation, ECO and
other organizations.
The main problem facing Azerbaijan is Armenia-Azerbaijan
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
The conflict remains unresolved for many years. This is a source of
greatest threat and injustice not only for us but for the entire
region. Recognition of territorial integrity of Azerbaijan by the
international community has been violated for many years. Armenia has
conducted a policy of ethnic cleansing against Azerbaijanis. As a
result of this policy, one million Azerbaijanis became refugees and
displaced persons in their native land and 20% of our land was
occupied. All major international organizations have voiced their
position on this issue. First of all, the most authoritative
international organizations- the UN and its Security Council have
adopted relevant resolutions. There are four UN Security Council
resolutions, which call for unconditional withdrawal of Armenian
forces from Azerbaijani lands.
OSCE resolutions, numerous resolutions by the Organization of Islamic
Cooperation, resolutions adopted by the Council of Europe, European
Parliament and other organizations create a stronger legal basis for
the conflict settlement. But, unfortunately, unconstructive position
of Armenia and its attempts to artificially prolong the negotiations
hinder to tackle the issue. Azerbaijan was also subject to terrorism
in this conflict. Numerous terrorist acts were committed in our
country which claimed lives of more than 2,000 civilians.
Seizing the opportunity, we reiterate our deepest condolences to the
brotherly Turkey, Turkish people on the recent acts of terrorism, and
we wish patience to families of the deceased. We are stand by Turkey
at this time, too and will continue to support Turkey’s right cause in
a fight against terrorism.
The development of economic ties between our countries is also of
great significance. I think that we do not use this potential in a
proper level. Although bilateral trade relations are growing, it does
not reflect our real potential. I believe that we should pay more
attention to implementation of joint investment projects in the coming
years. Those countries that are investing abroad, of course, have to
pay attention primarily to the Turkic-speaking states, as this will
further strengthen our unity and, at the same time, bring economic
benefits.
At present Azerbaijani companies actively invest in foreign countries.
These investments are estimated at billions of dollars. We want this
policy to continue. Mutual investments contribute to development of
countries, lead to opening of new jobs and also promote our economic
ties. In near future Azerbaijan’s SOCAR will lay foundation of a major
new investment project in Turkey. The volume of investments will
amount to $5-6 billion over several years. Of course, this is
primarily economic and commercial project.
Investments are also made into friendly countries, where there is
stability and good investment climate.
I believe that our countries are at the forefront in this matter. All
international financial institutions highly appreciate ongoing
economic reforms in our countries. Business opportunities are also
very good. Our countries take leading positions in all rankings. Along
with economic projects, of course, cultural ties also are of great
importance. We can say that these relationships form the basis of our
organization, because we share a common culture and ethnic roots.
Naturally, special attention is paid to this issue.
I thank all Turkic-speaking states for supporting our initiative.
There are specific proposals to create TURKSOY Fund. I am sure that
the launch of this Fund will leave its mark on each of the
Turkic-speaking province. Restoration of historical monuments,
publication of books and cultural events will become possible due to
this Fund. Every citizen will see that this fund has real results.
I think we should pay more attention on real projects at the next
stage, especially after Cooperation Council is formed as fairly much
has been done and documents have been signed to this date. The summit
will also adopt a very serious document at the end. Therefore, if we
pay more attention to specific projects in the coming years, it will
play a positive role in developing our organization and fostering ties
between the countries. We are ready for this and will make our
proposals in relation to specific projects.
Azerbaijan has also contributed to energy security matters in past
years. At present, our energy resources are supplied to world markets
via various routes. In this respect I want to emphasize importance of
the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline, the construction of which was
initiated and successfully completed by Azerbaijan. The pipeline was
built not only to transport oil from the Caspian Sea to world markets,
the Mediterranean Sea.
Essentially, this is a new corridor, primarily an energy corridor.
Later a gas pipeline was built in this corridor. Rail corridor is
under construction at the moment. Overall, this was the first serious
initiative connecting East and West and Asia and Europe. Already not
only Azerbaijani oil but also the oil extracted from oil fields in the
eastern part of the Caspian Sea is transported via this pipeline.
We have offered fraternal countries to use our transit opportunities.
Today I am very glad that Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan use our transit
opportunities.
I am confident that these transit opportunities will become even wider
in the coming years. To this end, Azerbaijan makes significant
investments, logistics centers are created, the largest international
trading port in the Caspian Sea, which will be put into operation in
two to three years, is under construction. Now we also attach great
importance to creation of transport infrastructure. New ferries and
tankers are being procured and a new modern shipyard is being built in
Baku.
It is clear that all these investments in infrastructure will benefit
not only us, but also all Caspian littoral states.
Since the Caspian Sea is an enclosed reservoir, ships and tankers
manufactured ??there will only operate in the Caspian Sea. We perform
all this work so that to be prepared to receive large loads from the
east of the Caspian Sea towards this direction and in the opposite
direction.
As Nursultan Abishevic noted, construction of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars
project will end late next year and this railway is be put into
operation in 2013. In fact, this is a very large economic and
political project. When we started this project, of course, we aimed
to link Azerbaijan and Turkey as there was no such a rail. However,
the course of implantation of the project showed that it has caused a
great interest both in Europe and Asia.
In essence, this means creating a new iron Silk Road. This road will
link Azerbaijan to Turkey and Europe, and Europe ` with Azerbaijan,
Kazakhstan and other Central Asian countries and China via Georgia.
I’m sure it will be the most lucrative transport route from the
viewpoint of both time and economic indicators. I am sure that once
this route is launched millions of tonnes of cargo will pass through
our territory and our countries, and not only Azerbaijan, but all of
our countries will contribute to this transport corridor as transit
countries. These are concrete, real projects. These projects are
economically and commercially viable. At the same time, these projects
further reinforce our unity.
The Turkic world is a great world. We need to make sure that the
Turkic world unites even closer. There are all opportunities for this.
First of all, there is strong political will. Holding this summit
regularly, the first summit of the Council which is being held here
today and decisions adopted demonstrate that there is strong political
will. On the other hand, economic interests coincide with our economic
interests.
We, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan and other Turkic-speaking states, have
abundant natural resources. We use different routes to supply them to
world markets. We have a friend like Turkey. As it was noted, Turkey
was first to recognize our independence. Turkey has a large territory,
large economy and large transport capacity. We combine all these
efforts, and there are already good results of cooperation. I am sure
that in the coming years we will build big, beautiful buildings on the
already laid solid foundation. It will be palaces of our friendship
and brotherhood. Our fraternity has a great past and a great future.
I want once again thank Nursultan Abishevich for making this
initiative and organizing this summit at a high-level. I wish success
to the summit. Thank you!’
News.Az