Kazakh Leader highlights importance of Turkic peoples’ spiritual revival

Nursultan Nazarbayev expressed gratitude to the President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sooronbay Jeenbekov for the traditional hospitality, and especially noted the participation of the Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán in the summit.

"Participation of such distinguished guests in today's meeting demonstrates the importance and expansion of the influence of the Turkic Council, I am sure that taking into account the agreements and decisions adopted at the summit, mutual cooperation and fraternal ties between our countries will rise to a qualitatively new level," the Kazakh President announced.

At the end of his opening speech the head of state handed over the chairmanship in the Turkic Council to the President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sooronbay Jeenbekov and wished him luck in his new status.

While speaking at the main part of the summit, Nursultan Nazarbayev voiced out, that in the context of modern globalization, special importance should be given to preserving the national culture and traditions for future generations.

“That is why today’s meeting is devoted to the development of national sports and youth policy,” the President of Kazakhstan stated.

It should be noted the Kazakhstani Leader offered to hold a forum of youth leaders of the Turkic Council on a regular basis, scientific conferences, seminars, organize expeditions to unique historical places of the Turkic world. Nursultan Nazarbayev is confident that these measures will lead to the fact that our young people will cooperate more closely and expand their knowledge about the cultural peculiarities of our countries.

In addition, the head of state focused on the results of the Kazakhstan's chairmanship in the Turkic Council.

Chairmanship of Kazakhstan in the Turkic Council pays a special attention to scientific and educational work. Thus, ‘The General History of the Turks new textbook was introduced into the school curriculum of Azerbaijan, Turkey, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan. The Turkic Academy published more than 90 books on history, Atalar mirasy (Ancestors’ Heritage) website providing an information about four centuries cultural heritage of our peoples was launched and realization of sociological research project Turkbarometer has started as well. ‘The Modern Great Silk Road project that will allow us to visit the historically significant and sacred places of our countries within 14 days has been launched in order to develop cooperation between our countries in the tourism industry, " Nursultan Nazarbayev informed.

Speaking about changes in the geopolitical and geo-economic situation in the world the President of Kazakhstan noted such problems of international security as terrorism, religious extremism, organized crime, uncontrolled migration and illegal drug trafficking are aggravated.

"These are these factors, of course, have a negative impact on the Turkic world, which requires us to take comprehensive measures," the head of state announced.

Moreover, Nursultan Nazarbayev stressed cooperation within the Turkic Council will allow to create fruitful conditions for mutual development and offered a number of initiatives to develop further partnership between the states.

“We are to use potential of Astana International Finance Centre which has all conditions to develop financial instruments, consolidate capital and attract well-known investors and financial experts. In this regard, I invite your countries to take an active part in the activities of the financial center, " the President of Kazakhstan noted.

Nursultan Nazarbayev also highlighted the importance of deepening trade and economic relations between the member states of the Turkic Council and spoke about the advantages of using the transit potential of the countries.

“Locating in the center of the continent, our states connect the West and the East, the North and the South. The Convention on the Legal Status of the Caspian Sea, recently adopted in Aktau, will contribute to the further development of the transit potential of our region. Therefore, the meetings of the Ministers of Transport and Maritime Administrations of the Turkic Council need conducting of an active work to simplify tariff policy and administrative procedures," the Kazakh Leader stated.

In the context of Rukhani Zhangyru state program’s successful implementation Nursultan Nazarbayev pointed to the importance of spiritual revival of the Turkic peoples and proposed to develop special projects under the Turkic Council "100 people of the Turkic world" and "Holy land of the Turkic world" in order to preserve sacred places for the next generations.

Besides, the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan focused on optimization and enhancement of the effectiveness of the activities of the governing bodies of the Turkic Council.

In conclusion, the head of state once again congratulated the Kyrgyz side on the start of the chairmanship of the Turkic Council and wished success.

Following the summit, the heads of state signed:

1. CCTS VI Summit’s Declaration.

2. Decision on the CCTS Secretary General’s appointment and his deputy.

3. Decision to grant Hungary observer status in the CCTS.

Following the summit, the heads of state adopted:

1. The concept of integration of Turkic-speaking states.

2. Joint statement of the CCTS heads of state on the development of cooperation in the field of national sports and youth policy.

3. Joint statement of the CCTS heads of states on the occasion of the 90th anniversary of Chingiz Aitmatov.