Turkish commentator: "I'm looking for Teheran summit"

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- The sixth summit of the Cooperation Council of the Turkic-Speaking States (CCTS) was held recently. Is it acceptable to hold such a summit?

- The Turkic-speaking states established broad relations after the Soviet Union collapsed. Russia and Iran were concerned about the first meetings of Turkic-speaking countries because they thought Turkey wanted to create a great TURAN in the region, although neither Turkey nor any other Turkic-speaking state had such a plan. Subsequently, Moscow and Tehran understood this and stopped worrying. Nevertheless, not all Turkic-speaking countries participate in the summit. Turkmenistan, a Turkic-speaking state, does not participate in the summit of Turkic-speaking countries, because it wishes to maintain a neutral foreign policy. Instead, Turkmenistan prefers bilateral ties with the Turkic-speaking states. For example, Turkmenistan has close ties with Turkey, but has problems with other Turkic-speaking countries. When Islam Karimov was president of Uzbekistan, he did not participate in the summit of Turkic-speaking states. But Uzbekistan"s new president, Shovket Mirziyayev, changed foreign policy by restoring relations with Turkey and thereby easing the tensions Islam Karimov had created, even making an official visit to Turkey. The President of Uzbekistan took part in the recent summit of Turkic-speaking states. Nevertheless, Uzbekistan is still not a full member of the CCTS.

- An interesting development is Hungary"s participation in this summit. How do you assess this development?

-Hungary, a European state, created interest by participating in the summit. Hungarians are considered ancient Turkic tribes. Therefore, Hungary considers itself an integral part of the Turkic world, and its accession to the CCTS is of practical importance because Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban wants to expand relations and cooperation with the Turkic-speaking peoples and states. For example, Hungary awards scholarships to students from Turkic-speaking countries, including Azerbaijan.

- In your opinion, what is the significance of the existing situation for Azerbaijan?

- For Azerbaijan, expanding cooperation with Turkic-speaking countries is important for several reasons. First, Azerbaijan expects strengthened support on the Karabakh issue from Turkic-speaking countries. Kazakhstan, although a member of the CSTO, nevertheless supports Azerbaijan on the Karabakh issue. However, other Central Asian states do not support Azerbaijan as Kazakhstan does. Secondly, Azerbaijan wants to expand economic relations with the Turkic world. In recent years, Azerbaijan has invested $ 14 billion in the Turkish economy. Turkey invested about the same amount in Azerbaijan. In coming years, Azerbaijan's investment in Turkey will increase to $ 20 billion. However, the investment process with other Turkic-speaking countries is weak. Thirdly, Azerbaijan wants Turkic-speaking countries to use its transport capabilities. While in Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan"s President highlighted the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway"s opening. The Kazakhstani ports of Aktau and Kurik now transport 26 million tons of cargo; these cargoes can be delivered to the Azerbaijani port of Alyat on the Caspian Sea, and the cargoes arriving at the port of Alyat via the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway can be delivered to European countries. Azerbaijan wants to transport both Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan cargoes along this railway line. It is also important to develop humanitarian ties among the Turkic-speaking countries. For example, Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan offer courses in the general history of the Turkic-speaking states. The idea of creating a common Turkic-speaking television network and university is also being discussed. Kazakhstan"s President, Nursultan Nazarbayev, considers it important to identify the 100 most famous persons of the Turkic world. This is a good suggestion.

-Some think the summit"s timing reflects Turkey"s intention to send a message to the whole world via the Turkic-speaking countries. Is this true?

-As is known, the issues of economy, trade, general projects and humanitarian issues are discussed at the meetings of the Turkic-speaking countries. That is, in these discussions the issue of military cooperation is not touched, so the Cooperation Council of the Turkic-speaking States is not directed against other states. Despite this, the initiative of the President of Turkey, Rajab Tayyip Erdogan to "refuse to trade from the dollar" under current conditions looks unrealistic. With this initiative, Erdogan spoke in Kyrgyzstan. Worldwide, approximately 70% of trade is conducted in US dollars; thus, for the Turkic-speaking countries to refuse to trade in dollars would be a very complex issue. Erdogan also wants to expand the Turkic-speaking states" efforts to combat Fatullah Gulen"s terrorist network. So far, only Turkey and Azerbaijan are doing this seriously. Ankara is happy with measures taken by Azerbaijan, but is dissatisfied with Kyrgyzstan. Speaking in that country, Erdogan said that if Kyrgyzstan does not expand the struggle against Fatullah Gulen"s supporters, this will create big future problems for Kyrgyzstan.

-However, the unification of Turkic-speaking states under one umbrella does not look entirely sincere, because many Turkic-speaking countries, as you have already said, do not participate in this cooperation. Even if more peoples join, there will be distinctive policy features. How can this be regarded?

-Yes, it is sincere. Türkic-speaking countries pay attention to economic and humanitarian ties, although their foreign policies do differ. For example, Erdogan says that Palestine is part of the Turkic world. However, other Turkic-speaking states do not think so. Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan, while supporting the independence of Palestine, nevertheless continue to cooperate with Israel. This opinion is also present within the structure of the Cooperation Council. By the way, the next CCTS summit will be held in Azerbaijan. Prior to this summit, it is necessary to strengthen the integration of the Turkic-speaking states.