Speech of Mr. Ramil Hasanov, secretary general of the parliamentary assembly of turkic-speaking countries at the 3rd plenary session of TurkPA (Bishkek, 15 june 2012)
Dear Mr. Chairman,
Your Excellencies Mr. Asylbek Zheenbekov, Mr. Ogtay Asadov, Mr. Nurlan Nigmatulin, and Mr. Cemil Çiçek,
As you know, the 2nd plenary session of TURKPA was held last year in Astana and devoted to the 20th anniversary of national independence of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. During the Astana session important documents were adopted aiming at strengthening of TURKPA, as international parliamentary organization, as well as four permanent commissions were set up, chairmanship was handed over from Azerbaijan to Kazakhstan and Astana Declaration was adopted.
During the last year, TURKPA has been successfully acting in several directions. First meetings of four commissions established at the 2nd Plenary Session were held in November-December 2011, as well as reports and recommendations have been adopted at these meetings. I would like to note that during the Bishkek session we will discuss and approve these documents. Detailed information on that will be presented by Chairs of Commissions and assigned rapporteurs.
TURKPA’s established international mission for observing elections has monitored presidential elections in Kyrgyzstan and parliamentary elections in Turkey and Kazakhstan. Final reports on results of elections will be presented to your attention by the heads of relevant observers’ missions. At the same time, same reports were sent for information to such international institutions as OSCE Parliamentary Assembly and European Parliament. It can be said that TURKPA’s mandate on international observation of elections is recognized and accepted by the international community.
During this period TURKPA, through active participation of its Secretariat, has made a number of achievements in the field of international cooperation. TURKPA delegations have participated in the meetings, sessions and conferences of such international organizations, as OSCE PA, IPU, OSCE Council of Ministers, OIC Council of Ministers, PUIC, European Parliament, Baltic Assembly, GUAM, PABSEC and CIS IPA. First time upon coordination of TURKPA’s Secretariat delegations of TURKPA member countries met during the OSCE PA Winter Session in 2012 and expressed their support to synergy actions in the OSCE PA framework.
TURKPA Secretary General held bilateral meetings with OSCE Secretary General Ambassador Lamberto Zannier, representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office Ambassador Eoin O’Leary and special representative of the European Parliament Mr. Dick Toornstra. The main objective of these meetings was exchange of views on future cooperation with these institutions and delivering information on the activities, tasks and aims of our Assembly. I would like to inform you that upon invitation of the ambassador of Ireland, which is the OSCE chairing country, TURKPA Secretary General is expected to address to the OSCE Permanent Council. The main purpose of this event is to present detailed information on TURKPA to the ambassadors of the OSCE participating states, as well as to answer the questions of the OSCE Permanent Council on matters of mutual interest and discuss prospects of cooperation among two organizations.
International cooperation of TURKPA is based on recognition of legitimate and supreme role of the UN. In this context, TURKPA has applied for granting an observer status in the UN General Assembly. As a result of the efforts done by the permanent representations of the TURKPA member states in UN, this request was included to the agenda of the 66th session of the UN General Assembly. We believe that with support of the ministers of foreign affairs of member countries a positive result will be achieved in this direction during 2012.
TURKPA develops cooperation with Cooperation Council of Turkic-speaking states (CCTS) based on the common main objective to enhance the political, economic and cultural cooperation between the Turkic-speaking states. In this regard, relationships with TURKKON and TURKSOY were strengthened through participation in joint projects and creation of basis for the coordination activities. In this regard, TURKPA Secretary General participated in the First Summit of the Cooperation Council of Turkic-speaking states held on 20-21 October 2011 in Almaty, where he informed heads of states and ministers of foreign affairs on TURKPA’s activities. Participation of TURKPA delegations in the next 2nd CCTS Summit is also expected.
In accordance with its action plan, TURKPA has organized international conference on “Increasing role of women politicians in the 21st century”. Conference were successfully held with adoption of important decisions.
Dear participants of session,
Over the last period, bilateral meetings of TURKPA Secretary General were held with chairmen of the parliaments of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Turkey and with foreign ministers of member countries, where consultations and suggestions were conducted.
At the same time, TURKPA’s legal documents have been translated into 5 languages and published by the TURKPA Secretariat in the form of small book. In accordance with TURKPA Commission on Legal Affairs, constitutions of member countries, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan have been translated into official languages of our organization and published. Today you have the possibility to get acquainted with these publications.
Honourable members of Assembly,
TURKPA is highly interested in close interaction with other Turkic-speaking countries. Thus, there is a process of developing contacts with the parliaments of Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. We would be glad to see these two fraternal countries in TURKPA in near future and believe in that. We also would be honoured to see in future active participation of other national parliaments of the region and international organizations in TURKPA’s activities.
In accordance with the Istanbul Agreement and with the view of enhancing inter-parliamentary cooperation, TURKPA has conducted experience-exchange programme among the parliaments of Kyrgyzstan and Turkey. This process is continuing and has brought successful results.
TURKPA gives particular importance to strengthening a common inter-parliamentary platform for dialogue at a global level. TURKPA believes that parliamentary diplomacy, as complementing the traditional diplomacy, will play particular role in strengthening peace, democracy and economic development the world over. TURKPA’s close cooperation with the international institutions of Asia and Europe is crucial in intensifying the inter-cultural and inter-faith dialogue between the civilizations and highlighting tolerance issue, being a basic factor in the world agenda.
In near future, it is planned to hold the next meetings of the permanent commissions, organize international conferences and implement projects aiming at developing of relations with other regional and neighboring national parliaments, as well as at intensifying cooperation between Turkic-speaking states. Moreover, in accordance with decision of the Commission on International Relations it is expected to organize international conference on “Role of youth leadership in development process of interstate cooperation” and “TURKPA: New Level of Inter-parliamentary Cooperation”.
Official internet site of TURKPA was upgraded and everyone can access to any information on our activities.
Being the permanent body of Assembly, we perceive our historical and political responsibility in the development of above mentioned processes and we participate as a solid team in the Assembly’s activities.
Respectful Chair, dear members of Assembly,
Inclusion of English language as one of the official languages of TURKPA is an important step in the process of TURKPA’s international cooperation and its integration to the system of international relations. I believe that candidates for the secretaries of commissions, which were approved by the Assembly, will contribute to the development of our organization with their experience and language knowledge.
Taking this opportunity, I am honoured to convey my gratitude to the Chairman of Mazhilis of the Parliament of Kazakhstan Mr. Nurlan Nigmatulin for his support expressed during Chairmanship of Kazakhstan in TURKPA, as well as to deliver my high appreciation to the Chairmen of the parliaments of Kyrgyzstan and Turkey for their support in the framework of our international cooperation.
It is my honour to express my special gratitude to the official authorities of Azerbaijan, as well as to the Chairman of Milli Majlis and Government of Azerbaijan, for providing TURKPA Secretariat with excellent conditions and support to our activities in capacity of diplomatic mission.
I would like to express my particular gratitude to the Government and Parliament of Kyrgyzstan for hosting 3rd plenary session and great hospitality extended to us.
Thank you for the attention.
