The 3rd meeting of the TURKPA Commission on Economic, Trade and Financial Affairs took place on 11 February 2014 in Milli Majlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The main item of the meeting’s agenda was the role of transport communications in economic cooperation among Turkic-speaking countries. The meeting was chaired by Ms. Sevinj Huseynova, Deputy Chairperson of the TURKPA Commission on Economic, Trade and Financial Affairs and member of the Parliament of Azerbaijan. Parliamentarians of the TURKPA member countries conducted deliberations on the issue of enhancing cooperation among Turkic-speaking countries in the field of transport. Mr. Ziyafat Asgarov, First Deputy Speaker of Milli Mejlis of Azerbaijan, welcomed participants of the meeting and emphasized the significant role of the cooperation among Turkic speaking countries in the field of transport. Mr. Asgarov said that development of large transport projects serves as a ground of overall economic cooperation of the countries, in particular in the energy field. He said that signing of Shah-Deniz 2 project would play an important role in delivering gas resources of both Azerbaijan and Central Asia to Europe in the future. This means that the Turkic world will be a driving force on the world transport map.

Mr. Abdyrahman Mamataliyev, member of Jogorku Kenesh of Kyrgyzstan, presented Report of the Commission on the main agenda’s item and stressed the importance of the issue of transport cooperation among the member countries. Mr. Mamataliyev informed that 95% of transportation in Kyrgyzstan accrues to the road transport sector.

Mr.Sarsenbay Ensegenov, member of Senate of the Parliament of Kazakhstan, informed of the latest address by the President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev to the nation, where the Kazakh leader emphasized on the need to take full advantage of Kazakhstan’s transport and transit potential. Kazakhstan is about to commission the Kazakh section of the international motorway project Western China – Western Europe as well as 1200 km long Central Kazakhstan – Western Kazakhstan railway link, which will facilitate growth of economic ties among Turkic speaking countries. As the frequency of transport flow among the said countries grows the TURKPA in near future needs to be able to adopt model laws in this sphere, said S.Ensegenov.

Mr. Mahmud Mucahit Fındıklı, member of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, noted that cooperation between Turkic-speaking states had developed after establishment of the Turkic Council and TURKPA. Mr. Fındıklı said that in parallel such an institutionalized cooperation gave an impetus to maintenance of close contacts among business communities of the member countries. Turkish parliamentarian added that elimination of transport barriers would automatically boost development of trade and tourism in the region.

Mr. Gismet Gozalov, Deputy Secretary General of the Cooperation Council of Turkic-Speaking States also took part in the meeting and informed participants on the cooperation among Turkic-speaking states in the field of transport within the Council’s framework. Mr. Gozalov emphasized the aspect of auspicious opportunities for cooperation of Turkic-speaking states in the field of transport due to the fact that Turkic world constitutes an essential part of the Historical Silk Road and restoration of this route is the priority issue on the world transport agenda.

During the meeting a report titled “Role of transport communications in economic cooperation“ was discussed and the recommendation addressing parliaments and governments of the four countries was approved.

It has been decided that the next 4th meeting of the Commission will be held in Kazakhstan in the second half of 2014. The main agenda item of the next meeting will be the issue of development of energy sector in the member countries and energy cooperation between them.