QEBELE /AZERBAIJAN
Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said on Thursday that building cooperation on a solid basis among Turkic speaking countries depends on projects to be carried out in the field of transport, which is to be discussed at a summit of the foreign ministers of the Cooperation Council of Turkic Speaking States in the Azerbaijani city of Qebele.
Davutoglu emphasized that the foundation of the cooperation council was a historic development saying it makes significant contributions to the cooperation in Eurasia, bringing countries with common history, culture and, language together.
Azerbaijan is assuming the term presidency of the Cooperation Council of Turkic Speaking States.
Since the foundation of the council, important steps have been taken, said Davutoglu adding more should be done to be an influential establishment on the international stage and being granted observer status at the United Nations is also very important.
He said Eurasia would play an important role in the world's economy.
"Turkey supports transport infrastructure projects which will join Europe with Asia and provide fast and secure travel between the continents referring to Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway project to directly connect Turkey, Georgia and Azerbaijan and Marmaray Rail Tube Tunnel, an undersea rail tunnel beneath the Istanbul Strait, a major project to be integrated with the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway line," said Davutoglu.
He emphasized the importance of cooperation to develop sea routes, harbors and land routes saying "It is a must to cooperate in the fields of transport and communications which would help increase global competitive power.
Davutoglu also said security and stability of Afghanistan is connected with the stability of the region and may badly affect the region urging the members of the Cooperation Council of Turkic Speaking States to cooperate together to solve such problems.
He also added that the economic integration of Afghanistan with the cooperation council was significant.
- Disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region major obstacle for stability in South Caucasus
Davutoglu said Nagorno-Karabakh region, an unresolved dispute between Azerbaijan and Armenia, was the major obstacle in South Caucasus's path to stability and normalization.
"It is sad that the two sides have not reached a solution for 20 years. It is not possible to create a peaceful, stable and prosperous environment in South Caucasus and Central Asia without solving Nagorno-Karabakh region dispute," said Davutoglu. "Turkey will continue to support Azerbaijan to get back its occupied lands."
Davutoglu also came together with his counterpart from Kyrgyzstan, Erlan Abdildayev to discuss bilateral relations.
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