Turkish president: Turkic-speaking states' leaders agree on cultural cooperation

The 11th summit of the Turkic-speaking states' leaders will be held in Kazakhstan  in 2011, Turkish President Abdullah Gul said at the Istanbul summit today, the TRT Haber television channel reported.

The presidents of Turkic-speaking countries agreed on Thursday to realize a number of projects to develop cultural cooperation between the countries at the summit, Turkish President Abdullah Gul said at a joint press conference, TRT Haber reported.

"A special waqf [a building or plot of land for Muslim religious or charitable purposes] will be created in Baku to save the Turkic cultural heritage. Astana will be announced a cultural capital of the Turkic world by TURKSOY in 2012. Universities will collaborate in research field. A private foundation will be established," he said.

The main purpose of the summit is the completion of the process of creating a new international organization - the Council of Cooperation of Turkic-speaking countries with headquarters in Istanbul. Gul said that the presidents decided to hold a regular summit in Kazakhstan and in 2012 in Kyrgyzstan. Turkmenistan will be held a major festival of Turkic culture.

Gul added that the main purpose of such events is to strengthen regional cooperation. The problems of some countries must not prevent unified Turkic cooperation, he said.

Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev initiated the establishing of the organization at a summit in Antalya in 2006. A forum in Nakhchivan three years later resulted in the signing of an agreement to establish the new international structure. The CCTC will be the basis for a new regional Turkic union, which is designed to strengthen the unity of peoples with similar languages and cultures environment, and to strengthen their political and trade relations.

The summit will also address a wide range of international and regional issues. In addition, the agenda includes the establishment of a consultative advisory body. The Council of Elders is expected to be led by head of the Turkish Presidential Secretariat Mustafa Isen.


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