The conference hosted numerous high level speakers from the Turkic states and from Hungary.  H.E. Hasan Hasanov, member of the Council of Elders of the Turkic Speaking States from the Republic of Azerbaijan, H.E. Binali Yildirim, Member of the Council of Elders of the Turkic Speaking States from the Republic of Turkey, H.E. Péter Sztáray, State Secretary for Security Policy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary, H.E. Tahir Taghizadeh, Ambassador of the Republic of Azerbaijan to Hungary, Mr. Gismat Gozalov, Deputy Secretary General of the Turkic Council gave speeches and contributed to very interesting and high level panels. Beside the official invitees members of the academia and  representatives of diplomatic organizations were also present on the  event that was open to the press.

Márton Ugrósdy, director of the Institute for Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary in his welcoming speech emphasized the growing influence of the Turkic states and Hungary, their tight and deepening relation and their strong cooperation within the Turkic Council. Deputy Secratary General Gismat Gozalov highlighted the fact that 30 years after their independence the Turkic Republics of the Caucasus and Central Asia have deepened their nation building process, transformed into market economies and turned into regional middle powers. He also declared that Turkmenistan will become an member of the Turkic Council in observer status in the upcoming summit that is planned to take place in Istanbul in November 2021.

Péter Sztáray, State Secretary for Security Policy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary, highlighted Hungary's deepening bond with the Turkic Council's member states, emphasizing that this cooperation is based on linguistic ties, and on common historic heritage. At the same time underlying Hungary's firm support for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Azerbaijan within its internationally recognized borders. Mr. Sztáray also  mentioned Hungary's readiness to increase cultural cooperation with Central Asia, Turkey and Azerbaijan and to strengthen  economic ties in various sectors.

Hasan Hasanov, Member of the Council of Elders of the Turkic Council from the Republic of Azerbaijan picked out the risks demonstrated by President Ilham Aliyev that led to Azerbaijan’s decisive victory in the 44 Day Patriotic War. He also noted, that thousands of young Azerbaijanis sacrificed their lives in the name of freedom, whose martyrdom will forever be engraved in the memory of the Azerbaijani people.

Binali Yildirim, member of the Council of Elders of the Turkic Council from the Republic of Turkey, stated that since their independence, the Turkic Republics of Caucasus and Central Asia have shown remarkable achievements in their state-building and nation-building processes. Moreover, he stated that these individual achievements brought the Turkic States  closer to each other, which led to the establishment of the Turkic Council.

Tahir Taghizadeh, Ambassador  of the Republic of Azerbaijan to Hungary as a keynote speaker noted that in the post-conflict period restoration activities the return of the IDPs to their homelands will be a top priority for Azerbaijan. Emphasizing the new realities that have emerged in this period, he stressed the importance of the Zangazur Corridor as new transport and communication line towards contributing to peace, security and development in the region as well as creating new opportunities for the Turkic World.

After the keynote speeches and opening remarks the panel discussions went on with the participation of academicians and representatives of research institutes. The panels discussed topics of regional transport cooperation, opportunities for regional peace and the strenghtening relationship of Hungary and Turkey with that of the Turkic States. The event also featured a presentation by the AIR Center on the Geo-economic Atlas of the Turkic World.

As a closing act of the conference a reception took place at the Representation Office of the Turkic Council in Hungary. The event was attended by high-level officials of the Hungarian Government, ambassadors of the Member States of the Turkic Council and representatives of diplomatic corps.
 
Source: https://www.turkkon.org/