Leaders Of Turkic-Speaking States Want More Economic Cooperation

Turkish President Abdullah Gul (left), Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev (center), and Kyrgyz President Almazbek Atambaev attend a concert in Baku on August 15.

The presidents of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Turkey have vowed to strengthen their ties during a summit of the Cooperation Council of Turkic-Speaking States.

At an August 16 meeting held in Azerbaijan's northern city of Qabala, Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbaev called for more trade cooperation, and the creation of joint tourism and communication efforts.

Kyrgyz President Almazbek Atambaev proposed the building of a railway connecting Turkey with China's western city of Kashgar via Central Asia.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev stressed the importance of increased cooperation in energy, mining, and transportation.

The four presidents discussed the potential formation of a free-trade zone among the member states.

The organization's rotating chairmanship was transferred from Kyrgyzstan to Azerbaijan. The group was established in 2009.

Based on reporting by Apa.az and Interfax