ANKARA

Secretary general of the Turkic Council announced on Sunday Uzbekistan ratified the Nakhchivan Agreement and the country would join the Turkic Council.

“With this [ratification], the Republic of Uzbekistan will become a full member of the Turkic Council,” Baghdad Amreyev said in an official statement.

Nakhchivan Agreement paved the way for establishing the Cooperation Council of Turkic Speaking Countries (Turkic Council) in 2009, where members cooperate in the field of economy, foreign policy, security issues, social and humanitarian affairs.

“Uzbekistan has always been one of the central factors of the Turkic world, as well as the economic and cultural cradle of Turco-Islamic history with its glorious cities of Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva located along the Great Silk Way,” Amreyev added.

Referring to Uzbekistan as a “geographical pivot” offering opportunities to improve the council, he went on to say that the whole region could benefit from the upcoming membership of the country.

“I am confident that the relations between Uzbekistan and the other Turkic Speaking Countries, which is based upon centuries-old strong brotherly roots, will gain further dimensions and bright prospects under the uniting flag of the Turkic Council,” he added.

In an official statement on Saturday, Turkey welcomed Uzbekistan's application to join the council as a full member, saying its membership would "further reinforce solidarity within the Turkic world."