Twin Peaks

Turkey has always given importance to cooperation with Kazakhstan, with which it does not share a border but a common culture and a common geography. The root of the relationship between our peoples is found in the depths of history. Furthermore, our countries are located on two important communication lines, which pass through the north and south of the Caspian Sea, connecting the west and the east of Eurasia.

While the above-mentioned exceptional geographical location and our common values offer us vast opportunities in the political, economic, and cultural spheres, it charges us with responsibilities at the same time as well. Neither Turkey nor Kazakhstan at any time shied away from taking responsibilities. They have both played a leading role in various initiatives in this regard in international and regional organizations.

The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) chairmanship for the year 2010 is the most meaningful indicator of the level of development Kazakhstan has attained since independence. It is proof of the international community’s trust in Kazakhstan that it assumed the chairmanship of the OSCE, an organization that regulates the basics of international relations and interactions today, such as comprehensive security and stability, multi-dimensional cooperation, human rights, democratic society, rule of law, and good governance.

Looking from Turkey, the achievements of Kazakhstan, the means and capabilities of which we closely know, come as no surprise. Since its independence, Turkey and Kazakhstan have been in a continuously developing state of solidarity. Our intensive and comprehensive relations have given us the opportunity to closely understand the full potential of Kazakhstan.

The juxtaposition of historical experience, multicultural societal structure, human potential, and natural resources with a sensible and progressive government have empowered Kazakhstan with the means to become a leading nation in Central Asia and an important actor in the Eurasian geography, gaining Kazakhstan the respect of the international community.

The main determinant of the bilateral relationship between Turkey and Kazakhstan is the common values that the two brotherly nations share. Our common history, culture, roots, language, and holy values tie our nations in an unshakable way. No force can separate our countries and societies, which were fused even further by great wise men and leaders of the Turkic world, such as Hodja Ahmed Yassavi and Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.

In 2010, Turkey and Kazakhstan held the chairmanship of the most important security and cooperation organizations in Europe and Asia. I would like to emphasize the importance of two Turkic nations holding chairmanships of the OSCE and the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia (CICA) at the same time. I think that through strong solidarity Turkey and Kazakhstan can contribute to stability, peace, and development initiatives, drawing inspiration from the civilization of the Turkic world based on tolerance, humanism, and human love. I would also like to emphasize that Turkey and Kazakhstan are in active cooperation in various international organizations jointly, such as the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) and Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO).

Turkey has always given importance to the establishment of a Eurasian vision in organizations that it is a member of. It was a priority for us during our 2010 chairmanship of the Council of Europe that the Council developed cooperation with Central Asian states. The election of a Turkish MP to the presidency of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe points out that the international community shares Turkey’s vision.

Turkey and Kazakhstan are located on the East-West communication corridor and have important roles to play in the development of new transportation corridors. It is crucial to manage the East-West communication corridors in the most advanced way possible in order to establish a long-lasting development order in the wide geography that we share through the development and utilization of our natural resources. Such efforts will materialize to a great extent once the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway starts operating in 2012. This way, we are going to have a fast and reliable transportation artery between Europe, the Caucasus, Central Asia, the Far East, and Southern Asia. However, we should not limit the functions of transportation corridors to the economy solely. We should consistently emphasize the strengthening of dialogue between civilizations through communication corridors. Otherwise, we will be deprived of an important means that will enable societies to better understand each other.

Turkey and Kazakhstan also approach global issues in Eurasia with the same level of sensitivity. For example, both countries are net contributors to the international initiatives in Iraq and Afghanistan, targeted to establish peace and stability. Our countries cooperate in many spheres of economy and trade, particularly in energy. With our intensive cooperation in the field of education, such as the Hodja Ahmed Yassavi University, our countries’ scientific potential is at the service of the region.

Established in 2009 with the signing of the Nakhchivan Agreement, The Turkic Cooperation Council officially started its activities in 2010. Our countries have contributed greatly to the establishment of this body. Turkey and Kazakhstan are leading the development and introduction of the Turkic civilization. At the Nakhchivan Summit it was decided a Turkic Academy in Astana would be established upon President Nazarbayev’s proposal. The realization of this project is one of the most prioritized projects on Turkey’s and Kazakhstan’s agendas.

President Nazarbayev’s leadership in the cooperation mechanisms among Turkic nations will never be forgotten by the Turkic world. I would like to reiterate my appreciation of Kazakhstan’s successful and sensible politics under President Nazarbayev’s wise leadership following the country’s independence, making Kazakhstan a respectable member of the international community and a leading country in Central Asia.