Turkish and Azerbaijani diasporas' mutual initiative culminates in confederation

Mehmet Azeriturk, the secretary-general of the Federation of Turkish-Azeri Associations, told Today's Zaman that the Turkish and Azeri diasporas have decided to set up an international body to unite Azeri and Turkish nongovernmental organizations, the International Confederation of Turkic Associations.

"As we can see from the so-called Armenian genocide claims, the Turkish world has difficulties in expressing itself to the world," complained Azeriturk while providing information on the latest initiative of the Turkish and Azerbaijani diasporas. "At the international level, we cannot ensure proper cooperation among Turkic republics."

"The surveys conducted in Turkey show that only 1 percent of Turks know about the Nagorno Karabakh issue," Azeriturk noted. "While Armenians have made the entire world accept their unjustified claims relating to incidents that occurred 95 years ago, we have failed to inform even the people in Turkey of the Armenian atrocities in Karabakh," he said.

"Under these conditions, we had to unite the Turkish world along their common interests. Inspired by our Prime Minister [Recep Tayyip Erdogan] and Azerbaijani President [Ilham] Aliyev, we have taken our first step," Azeriturk said, referring to Erdogan and Aliyev's leadership in organizing the forum, to which Turkish Cypriot President Mehmet Ali Talat had been invited, as a sign of greater cooperation among Turkish people in the international arena.

The confederation will reportedly be established by the representatives of Turkish and Azerbaijani diasporas, but nongovernmental organizations from other Turkic republics can also join as members. Azeriturk was optimistic about the future and outcome of this initiative: "Everything will get easier after this stage. I hope this organization will be a unified voice for the entire Turkish world in advocating Turkish interests in the international arena."

A long road to take

On the road to setting up an international lobbying body to represent the entire Turkish world, first the unification of Turkish and Azerbaijan nongovernmental organizations in Turkey and Azerbaijan will be ensured. Later, umbrella organizations will be established in the US, Canada, Germany, Russia, Australia, France and other countries to unite Turkish and Azerbaijani associations and federations. Moreover, nongovernmental organizations in other Turkic republics will be invited to participate in this unification initiative. Ultimately, an international confederation will be established. Its head office will be located in New York and it will have representative offices all around the world.

While it will primarily deal with the most complicated issues of the Turkish world, namely those related to Nagorno-Karabakh, Cyprus, and the Meskhetian Turks, the confederation will also conduct lobbying activities concerning other problems affecting the Turkish people around the world. The New York-based Federation of Turkish-American Association will reportedly provide support, assistance and guidance to the association.

Heydar Aliyev's dream

The mastermind behind an international confederation of Turkish NGOs was President Heydar Aliyev, the founding father of Azerbaijan. He first announced his idea in 2002. Although he repeatedly talked about his idea in meetings with Turkic-speaking countries, it could not be implemented during his lifetime. He even caused the Azerbaijani Parliament to enact a law to this end, and before he died, he left the realization of his dream to his followers. In line with his will, an Undersecretariat of Cooperation with Azerbaijani People Living Abroad was established in Azerbaijan.

A ministry in charge of the Turkic world was established during the coalition government of the Democratic Left Party (DSP) and the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) in Turkey. When the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) took power, this ministry was abolished as part of the reorganization campaign. The ministry reportedly might be revived or a similar organization could be created, which will be led by State Minister Besir Atalay. Today's Zaman