Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Culture, Youth, and Environment, Fikri Ataoğlu, attended the 40th meeting of the Permanent Council of Culture Ministers of TÜRKSOY held in Shusha, Azerbaijan, from October 13-14.
Addressing the meeting, Azerbaijani Culture Minister Adil Kerimli emphasized the significance of the meeting for the unity of the Turkic world and thanked the contributing countries.
Sultan Raev, the Secretary-General of TÜRKSOY, mentioned the importance of this year’s meeting as it coincides with the 100th, anniversary of Haydar Aliyev’s birth, the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Republic of Türkiye, and the 30th anniversary of the establishment of TÜRKSOY.
Also addressing the meeting, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Culture, Youth, and Environment Fikri Ataoğlu, expressed their pride in being a part of the Turkic world and commended TÜRKSOY for its mission of cultural unity in the Turkic world.
Ataoğlu continued his speech by mentioning the “TÜRKSOY 2040 Vision” and how it aligns with the vision of the Turkic world accepted by the leaders of Turkic states.
He stated that these efforts will facilitate the institutional development of TÜRKSOY and expand its outreach, offering the opportunity for the Turkish Cypriot people, who are living under embargoes, to engage with the Turkic world on broader platforms. He expressed the importance of projects that will allow more frequent and extensive interactions between the Turkish Cypriot people and the Turkic world.
Ataoğlu also pointed out that the relations between Azerbaijan and their country are growing stronger each day.
He concluded by stating his belief that with the TÜRKSOY 2040 Vision and the transformation of TÜRKSOY into a stronger organization, the cultural and artistic presence of the Turkic world, united around Turkish culture, will strengthen on the international stage.
He emphasized that this would lead to a stronger voice for Turkish Cypriots and expressed his pride in being an extension of the Turkic world in the Mediterranean.
Ataoğlu also mentioned the positive reception of the proposal to designate Gazimağusa as the cultural capital of the Turkic world in the coming years and also expressed his readiness to host TÜRKSOY’s events in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and his country’s commitment to preserving their culture and passing it on to future generations.