Tokayev: Cooperation Among Turkic States Gains Even More Importance Amid Difficult Geopolitical Conditions
Tokayev: Cooperation Among Turkic States Gains Even More Importance Amid Difficult Geopolitical Conditions
President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev stated that the mutual trade volume between Kazakhstan and the member states of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) has reached 11.4 billion USD, saying: “This is a good figure, but we need to grow it further. In this regard, I propose preparing a special agreement to enhance mutual trade.”
President Tokayev spoke at the Informal Summit of the Organization of Turkic States held in Budapest, the capital of Hungary.
Thanking Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán for successfully organizing the OTS summit in the ancient city of Budapest, Tokayev said, “The fact that today’s summit is being held in the heart of Europe carries special importance. Today, you are hosting us as Turkic brothers who share the same roots. I truly see this as a clear affirmation of our unshakable friendship.”
President Tokayev emphasized that this summit, held under the theme “The Meeting Point of East and West,” addresses the interests and strategic goals of the Turkic states that cover vast territories, and said: “In the current difficult geopolitical situation, the significance of cooperation within the framework of the organization has further increased.”
In this context, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev highlighted Kazakhstan’s efforts to strengthen the role of the OTS with the following remarks:
“Kazakhstan has appointed its permanent representative to the Organization of Turkic States. We plan to open the permanent mission soon. At Kazakhstan’s initiative, the Advisory Platform of the Central Election Commissions of the Organization of Turkic States has been established. On June 11–12, we will host the 14th General Assembly of the Parliamentary Assembly of Turkic States (TURKPA) in Astana. With a joint decision, the city of Almaty will be declared the ‘Youth Capital of the Organization of Turkic States.’ In this way, we will strengthen Turkic unity.”
Tokayev also stressed the importance of strictly adhering to the agreements and regulations adopted within the framework of the organization.
President Tokayev further emphasized that transforming the Middle Corridor into a main bridge between East and West is a strategic task.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev pointed out the need to utilize the potential of the organization to diversify supply chains, particularly for the transportation of oil and gas, uranium, and other products.
In addition, Tokayev highlighted the great potential for cooperation in the fields of digitalization and information technologies, stating that mutual trade between OTS countries needs to be expanded.
President Tokayev noted that last year Kazakhstan’s mutual trade volume with OTS countries reached 11.4 billion USD, which accounted for 8% of the country’s total foreign trade, and reiterated: “This is a good figure, but we need to grow it further. In this regard, I propose preparing a special agreement to enhance mutual trade.”
Drawing attention to the increase in natural disasters, Tokayev expressed concern about the receding water levels of the Caspian Sea and invited the Turkic states to develop joint research and projects in this context.