ASTANA—Kazakhstan’s leader Nursultan Nazarbayev has invited Turkey to consider joining the Eurasian Union, Kazakh agency Tengrinews correspondent reports citing the official website of the president.

 

Turkey can become an associate member of the Eurasian Economic Union, Nazarbayev said at the briefing of the Fourth Summit of the Cooperation Council of Turkic Speaking States. There are no disagreements between these two organisations, besides “the Eurasian Economic Union is open for other countries to join in. For example, Turkey and other countries could become associate members of this union [Eurasian Union],” Nazarbayev said.

Nazarbayev reminded that a number of countries are interested in developing trade relations with the Union and that Armenia and Kyrgyzstan are planning to join the Eurasian Union in the near future.

He also talked about economic and cultural importance of the Council of Turkic Speaking States for its member-states.

The summit was an opportunity for the leaders of Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan and Turkey to meet and discuss broadening of bilateral cooperation, in particular in tourism.

“Turkey is very advanced in tourism, and we would like to learn from their experience and train the much needed personnel in Turkish universities,” he said.

Nazarbayev also dwelt on the subject of transport and communications. Significance of highways and railroads for development of Kazakhstan, the 9th largest country in the world, should not be underestimated, he said. Speaking about recent developments, he mentioned Kazakhstan-Turkmenistan-Iran railroad that is going to be completed this year. It will enhance development of logistics in the whole region.

Nazarbayev also elaborated on the plans of the Turkic Council. “I suggested looking into creation of a dedicated satellite channel that will tell the world about the Turkic speaking countries, our culture and history. Furthermore, it can help draw attention to our country and tell the world about the industrial program of Kazakhstan,” he said.

The Turkic Council (short for the Cooperation Council of Turkic Speaking States) is an intergovernmental organisation that includes Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Turkey. Its primary goal is to promote political and economic cooperation among the Turkic-speaking countries that share common historical and cultural ties.