We realize the existing potential based on a reliable foundation

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 8th Meeting of the Official Foreign Policy Research Centers of the Member and Observer States of the Organization of Turkic States, Director of the Institute for Strategic and Regional Studies under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Eldar Aripov focused on the importance and relevance of the forum.

– It should be noted that such a meeting held for the first time in Uzbekistan is of comprehensive importance. It is held on the eve of the first Summit of the Organization of Turkic States in Samarkand, and this is symbolic. The upcoming forum will be the first meeting in a new format of the heads of state after the last Istanbul Summit of the Organization of Turkic States and its transformation into a full-fledged Organization.

At present, cooperation between the Turkic-speaking states is consistently expanding in all areas.

The Organization of Turkic States is strengthening the status of an authoritative regional structure, turning into an important link in the modern system of international relations.

The main thing is that our countries have significant human capital. Their population is about one hundred and fifty million people.

The GDP is $1.2 trillion. This is equal to 5.5 percent of Asia’s gross domestic product.

At the same time, the economies of the countries of the Organization of Turkic States are developing at an accelerated pace. In our region, annual growth rates average 8-12 percent.

The trade turnover on the territory of the countries of the Organization is $21 billion.

Another advantage of the structure is that it brings together countries with similar values ​​and principles.

The realization of the existing potential based on such a foundation is important in the current unstable geopolitical conditions.

Only thanks to harmony and unity will we be able to steadfastly survive all the trials and challenges of the current times.

UzA