As earlier reported, the 12^th plenary meeting of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Turkic States (TürkPA) took place in Ankara on 27-28 April.

The plenary meeting was capped with the adoption of the Ankara Declaration.

The Declaration reflects many issues that are important for Azerbaijan. Namely, the document reaffirms support for the normalisation of relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia as based on mutual recognition of, and respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity and inviolability of borders. What is more, that process is described as one to become an essential factor in achievement of lasting peace, stability and peace in the South Caucasus.

The Declaration authors express their support for realisation of the rights of the ethnic Azerbaijanis driven from their native lands as well as for their peaceful efforts made in pursuit of safe and dignified return to their homes in the format of an international process. The Declaration signatories consider that as a considerable component of regional reconciliation and normalisation in the South Caucasus.

They declare solidarity with the Republic of Azerbaijan in the restoration, reconstruction and reintegration on-going since the conclusion of the conflict. The PA Member States and Observers are urged to provide assistance within this process and contribute to it, including in part concerning the reclamation of the de-occupied territories and transforming the region into an international transport and logistical hub. Also, the Declaration congratulates Azerbaijan on the launches of the international airports of Fuzuli and Zanghilan.

The Organisation’s Member States take into account the concerns of Azerbaijan’s civil society members and environmental activists about the illegal development of Azerbaijan’s natural resources in her Garabagh Economic Region and the equally illegal trafficking of thusly mined mineral resources of Azerbaijan along the Lachin-Khankendi Route. The Declaration expresses solidarity with the peaceful goals of the rally protesting the abuse of that road which is only intended for humanitarian use on the force of the accommodation contained in the Trilateral Statement of 10 November 2020.

Furthermore, the authors of the Declaration praise the input made by the Azerbaijani side as Chair of the Non-Aligned Movement and its Parliamentary Network (NAM PN) to the strengthening of co-operation within the NAM. The parties which hosted the Baku and Manama conferences of the PN on 30 June-1 July 2022 and 13 March 2023, respectively, are congratulated on the successful conduct of both those assemblies.

The Republic of Azerbaijan is additionally congratulated on the successful organisation of the 10^th Global Baku Forum ‘The World Today: Challenges and Hopes’ on 9-11 March 2023.

They, too, hail the announcement of 2023 The Heydar Aliyev Year in Azerbaijan on occasion of the centenary of the Azerbaijani people’s National Leader Heydar whose political wisdom and leadership left an indelible trace in the history of statehood and progress of our country.

The delegates of the TürkPA Member States condemn unequivocally terrorism in all its forms and manifestations regardless of its motives; they emphasise the roles of the parliaments in promoting security co-operation and urge the Member States to expand interaction to counter terrorism, radicalism as well as extremism and separatism, both of which are conducive to terrorism. There is also a call to co-ordination of relevant efforts in international fora. 

The other highlights of the Ankara Declaration are its deploring the armed attack upon the embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Tehran and insisting on a prompt and comprehensive investigation of the case so as to make certain that everybody who is responsible for it is brought to justice ultimately.

Further, the Declaration encourages further development of transport infrastructure inclusive of strengthening of transport and communication collaboration, improvement of the region’s transport ties and the soonest opening of the Zangazur Corridor that will help enhance the transport potential of the region.

The Press and Public Relations Department
The Milli Majlis