Commodity turnover of the Turkic-speaking countries reached $1.150 trillion

Speaking at the 3rd summit of the Cooperation Council of the Turkic Speaking States (CCTS), Nazarbayev stressed the necessity of enhancing mutually-beneficial economic cooperation among the brotherly nations and neighboring countries.

“The cumulative gross domestic product of the 6 independent Turkic speaking countries (Kazakhstan, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan) makes $1.150 trillion. But the commodities turnover of the countries does not fully utilize the existing potential. For example, based on the 2012 data, the volume of Kazakhstan’s trade with the Turkic speaking countries made only $8 billion. The total share of 5 Turkic speaking countries in the total volume of Kazakhstan’s foreign trade is below 6 percent,” the Kazakhstan President said.

According to him, the Turkic Council has already become a prominent international organization with a broad range of activities. “The organization makes a significant contribution into enhancement of the economic, cultural and humanitarian connections. Strengthening of our mutual cooperation and unity will help promote the common brand called ‘the Turkic World’,” he said.

According to Nazarbayev, to increase the weight of the Turkic Council at the international arena the countries should continue working on the organization's institutional basis. Prompt ratification of several key documents could help the effort. “Activities of the Turkic Council’s main body, the Secretariat, are extremely important for us. The organization’s first Secretary General Halil Akinci has personally contributed much into the effort. We highly appreciate his role in establishment of the cooperation among the Turkic speaking countries,” Nazarbayev continued.

President Nazarbayev of Kazakhstan called to deepen interaction in transport and communications, education, science and culture among the countries. Nazarbayev also suggested to establish a work group for development of tourism in the CCTS. 

The Declaration of the 3rd CCTS summit was signed at the end of the meeting.

The Cooperation Council of Turkic Speaking States was established in 2009. It includes the Council of Presidents, the Council of Foreign Ministers and the Council of Aksakals (the elders). There are six Turkic speaking countries: Kazakhstan, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan. Four of them - Turkey, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan - are members of the Council.

The first summit was held in 2011 in Almaty following the initiative of Kazakhstan President. The summit covered economic cooperation and resulted in signing of the Almaty Declaration.