The President of Uzbekistan makes essential initiatives at the OTS Summit
The President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, who is in Astana on a working visit, took part in the next meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Organization of Turkic States.
The event, chaired by the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, was also attended by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sadyr Zhaparov, President of Türkiye Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Prime Minister of Hungary Viktor Orban, the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslakhaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, and OTS Secretary General Kubanychbek Omuraliev.
In accordance with the agenda, views were exchanged on the state and prospects of multifaceted relations within the framework of the OTS. Current issues of practical interaction were discussed.
In his address, the President of Uzbekistan emphasized that the voice of Turkic peoples, whose language, religion, and hearts are inextricably linked, is becoming much louder and more powerful worldwide. In the new world order and the system of international institutions being shaped today, the Organization of Turkic States is occupying a more uniquely important place.
At the same time, the Head of state pointed to emerging problems in providing global security and increasing cases of disregarding the norms of international law.
In particular, it is a matter of grave concern to all of us that the long-standing Israeli-Palestinian problem in the Middle East has become extremely dangerous. The armed conflict has caused enormous civilian casualties, especially among older people, women, and children, increasing the danger of conflict spillover.
In this regard, the Leader of Uzbekistan called on the parties to immediately stop military actions, ceasefire, and, for humanitarian purposes, come to a compromise. The President noted that the only and fair solution to this problem is to resolve the conflict based on “two states for two peoples”. The Palestinian people have the right to an independent state as provided for in the United Nations resolutions.
Mentioning the cooperation with OTS states, the Leader of Uzbekistan noted with satisfaction that the country has established strategic partnership with all member-states of the Organization. The significant documents signed last year at the Samarkand Summit are being consistently implemented.
During Uzbekistan’s Chairmanship, over a hundred events were held, and important initiatives were put forward. Close relations were established with several high-profile global and regional structures.
The President of Uzbekistan put forward several proposals and initiatives for the further development of multilateral and long-term relations.
In particular, it was proposed to develop a Charter of Turkic World that expresses the unity of the Turkic peoples, their great past, and rich culture and ancient values with the participation of eminent scholars and experts.
The importance of the establishment of the Turkic Development Bank in the next stage was noted to strengthen industrial cooperation and implement large investment projects. The President emphasized the readiness to host this financial institution in Tashkent.
Fully supporting the practical work on establishing the Turkic States Trade Cooperation Research Centre, the President of Uzbekistan drew attention to the need to effectively use its capabilities to eliminate trade barriers, widely introduce new mechanisms for increasing export and import volumes, and develop e-commerce platforms.
It was noted that the development and diversification of global logistics chains and transport corridors and the formation of a unified transit network are urgently necessary. In this context, the Head of state supported the measures to increase the capacity of the Middle Corridor to meet the growing demand for freight transportation and the development of additional multi-network routes, including those corridors passing through OTS countries to China, South Asia, and Europe and the digitalization of transport services.
It was also proposed to set up the Council of Railway authorities of the OTS countries and to host the Directorate of this structure in Uzbekistan.
A permanent Turkic Ecology Forum was established at the ministerial level to strengthen cooperation in ecology.
The Leader of Uzbekistan emphasized that creative, talented, and energetic youth will pave the way for a new Renaissance of the Turkic World. To empower the enterprising and talented youth living in the pursuit of innovation, it was proposed to establish the Turkic World Creative Youth Centre in Uzbekistan.
Noting the importance of an in-depth study of the scientific and creative heritage of the Jadids, the President of Uzbekistan invited representatives of the OTS countries to actively participate in the International Conference “Jadids: National Identity, Independence and Ideas of Statehood” to be held in our country this December.
In the final part of the speech, the Head of Uzbekistan drew the attention of those present to the situation of the multinational and long-suffering people of Afghanistan, whose history and fate have been inextricably linked with the Turkic peoples for thousands of years.
The Leader of Uzbekistan called not to reduce humanitarian assistance to the Afghan people and also to develop specific mechanisms aimed at solving acute social problems in this country.
The heads of delegations of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Türkiye, Hungary, Turkmenistan, and the Secretary General of the Organization also addressed the meeting.
Following the summit, several agreements and decisions were adopted on priority areas of interaction within the framework of the OTS.
The chairmanship of the Organization passed to the Republic of Kazakhstan.