“Turkic Republics; Cultural Diplomacy and Tourism”

"Turkic and Armenian Diasporas; Public Diplomacy: Opportunities and Risks"

 (28 - 30 May 2014, Edirne - Turkey)

At the beginning of 20th century; Ottoman Empire had taken precautions in order to prevent foreign powers from interfering its domestic politics and subversion of itself. Within this framework; some of the subjects of the Ottoman Empire who had been living in certain parts of Anatolia had suffered from persecution. These persecutions have been exploited by international powers against Turkey, Armenia and Armenian Diaspora from time to time.   

Under objective war conditions; it is accepted by everybody that a certain ethnic group can be forced to relocate. But the definition of the incident at the point of the sufferings of both sides and the exact and objective number of the victims has been subjected to serious discussion and dissensus. At this point, it is an undoubted reality that Turkish State and its people have been subjected to extremely unfair accusations. Again the incidents that took place in 1918 and 1992 in Azerbaijan have caused enormous pain and problems.    

For the detailed information about the Forum please use the following link:

1 - 2^nd World Turkic Forum has been held in Istanbul between 3^rd and 5^th of April 2013 in a sincere and creative ambiance. 

The main theme “Turkic Diaspora and Turkic World Vision 2023” has been in the focus of 2^nd World Turkic Forum which was organized by Turkish Asian Centre for Strategic Studies (TASAM). Opinion leaders, presidents of non-governmental organizations and Think Tanks, academics, national parliament members from Turkey and participant countries, Minister of Public Administration in the Republic of Kosovo, Former Parliamentary Speaker and Prime Minister of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and the other protocol representatives, Secretary General of TURKPA, Secretary General of Turkic Council, Secretary General of TURKSOY, Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities of Turkish Prime Ministry, Representatives of observer diplomatic missions, experts and media representatives have participated to the meetings from 50 states where Turkic languages have been spoken and Turkic diasporas exist.

In this framework, the issues of “Turkic World and Turkic Council 2023 Vision”, “Turkic Diasporas 2023 Vision”, “Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities Vision 2023”, “Turkic States in their 30^th Anniversary of Independence and their Visions”, “Vision 2023, Next Century’s Strategy?”,” Turkic Diaspora 2023 Perspective in Global Public Diplomacy”, “Armenian Diaspora Vision 2015 and Turkic Diaspora Vision 2023”, “Independent Turkic Republics in their 20^th Year: Political, Economical, Social, Cultural Problems”, “ Balance of Relations between Turkey and Turkic Republics and New Pursuits”, “ Armenian Issue, Turkey-Armenian Relations and 2015”, “Human Rights and Democracy Perspectives from Turkic World”, “Energy Security, Energy Supply and Opportunities and Risks in Turkic World”, “Security Policies and Turkic World”, “Civic Society Initiative and Cooperation in Turkic World”, “The Process of Diasporazation of European Turks and its effect on Turkish Foreign Policy” and ”Xenophobia, Social Exclusion and Turkic Diaspora” have been discussed. Also, the opinions have been exchanged related to the fields where the cooperation between the countries which are the participants of World Turkic Forum and Diaspora could be realized on these matters.         

2 - During the Forum, participant persons and institutions have taken the decision to widen the activities that have been carried out under the Forum’s institutional structure for the benefit of both their countries as well as Turkic World. It has been decided that this decision and the details that are mentioned in the declaration to be presented to all related public authorities including; high level officials of Turkic Council, Meetings of Ministers of Foreign Affairs, summits of state and government presidents, Republic of Turkey Prime Ministry; Presidency for Turks Abroad and Relative Communities. Also the importance of participation and support of public authorities and internationally influential NGOs to this process has been mentioned.   

3 - Cooperation between institutions, establishing and maintaining a common communication network which was mentioned in the final declaration of 1^st World Turkish Forum, accelerating the activities of “Wise Persons Board” and “Network Contact Group”, continuing contribution of the forum to international institutions and organizations have been strongly confirmed.  

4 - As the year 2015 approaching; it has been agreed to leave defensive approaches and adopt initiative policies to combat the so-called Armenian Genocide claims and activities of Armenian lobbies. Therefore it is necessary to prepare and release a “Strategy Document” to the public by the related authorities; and the roles of all sides and possible contribution of all parties should be defined in this document. At this point, beside the current hard power elements, collective soft power elements of Turkic World, particularly of Turkey and Azerbaijan, should be activated. In order to prevent time pressure; progressive policies that would continue till 2023 should be developed. In order to combat the laws that are related to so-called Armenian Genocide; adopted by various countries’ parliaments, judicial initiatives should be taken into consideration. Within the guidance of public diplomacy coordination, the result based studies should be conducted by Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Universities and Armenian Research Institutions.    

5 - It has been determined that Turkic Diaspora can take important roles in resolving global and regional crisis. Therefore it is necessary that Turkic intellectuals and diplomats should play a directive role. At this point new middle-class in Turkic Diasporas should be included to the process and new approaches should be created for them. Turkic people of Diaspora should get rid of their introversion and they should gain extroversive visionary qualities. While doing this; they should act together with the NGOs and intellectuals of their inhabitant countries against racism, discrimination and Islamophobia. Accordingly they should contribute to the countries’ governments that they live in by political participation and representation. 

6 - The issues of Nagorno-Karabakh and Khojaly Massacre by Armenians have been discussed during the forum and it has been agreed that Turkic World particularly Azerbaijan should pro-actively bring this massacre to the agenda of world.  

7 - Considering the fact that the status of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is one of the most prominent issues in Turkic World, It has been strongly suggested that the name “Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus” which is accepted by many international organizations, should be included to the Turkic Council and other similar institutions.  

8 - Considering the fact that natural disasters and humanitarian crisis that take place where Turkic people live; do not make an overwhelming impact in Turkic World media institutions, it is necessary to conduct activities that would attract the attention of newspaper and television editors. Also communication faculties should be oriented towards this issue and it has been accepted to hold special sessions at national and international events including 3^rd World Turkic Forum. The issues that were mentioned in the “Turkic Languages Speaking Countries Media Forum” which was organized by Republic of Turkey Prime Ministry General Directorate of Press and Information on 21-22 December 2010 in Ankara; should be supported especially in order to  create a “Turkic Languages Speaking Countries Media Union”.    

9 - Today many countries removed visa requirement among themselves. The visa requirement processes are still applied between Turkic countries which harms the common national consciousness and scientific, touristic, cultural and commercial activities between Turkic countries. Therefore, it is strongly suggested that the visa requirements between Turkic countries should be immediately removed. Also the importance of Free Trade Agreements and the establishment of networks that would strengthen scientific and technological cooperation have been mentioned.  

10 - Turkic World national missions/institutions with regards to “Development Cooperation and Diasporas” should not conduct same projects at the same time and for high proficiency a common and flexible management model should be created.  

11 - Besides the current forum website, it has been decided that in order to provide communication between different Turkic dialects; a social communication network should be established.

12 - It has been decided to organize a conference about the issues of science, technology and innovation within the coordination of languages in Turkic World. In order to lead up the way for innovations in Turkic World, it has been suggested to benefit from the qualified human resources especially in diaspora. Considering the fact that the development in science and technology affect cultural elements; it has been emphasized that scientific and technological activities should be attributed to Turkic cultures.   

13 - It has been decided to grant a “Turkic World Award” in science, culture, art, technology, strategy, etc, within the body of the forum.

14 - It has been emphasized that being host to annual World Turkic Forum is open to any Turkic country. General Secretary of World Turkic Forum which is based in Istanbul will be strengthened both financially and institutionally.  

15 - In the opening session of the Forum, The Governor of Edirne Hasan DURUER has suggested that the 3^rd World Turkic Forum to be hold in Edirne. It has been decided to hold the next Forum on 28-30 May 2014 in Edirne, Turkey. 

5 April 2013, Istanbul

World Turkic Forum is being organized for the third time and the Red Apple Awards will be granted to the winners.

World Turkic Forum led by TASAM is a global organization which gathers representatives from Turkic States, opinions leaders from Turkic Diasporas around the world, Think Tanks and non-governmental organizations within the frame of multi-dimensional issues and strategically contributes to the deepening of common agenda and socio-economic integration.  

Read more: Red Apple Awards to the Turkic World

Türkiye, Azerbaycan, Kazakistan ve Kırgızistan'ın 2009'da kurduğu Türk Konseyi Divan-ı Lügati't Türk'teki gibi Türk Keneş'i adını aldı. Türk Keneş'i Başkanı Halil Akıncı "Özümüze döndük" dedi

Read more: Türk Konseyi Özüne Döndü

“Hem yeniden doğuşu, tomurcuklanmayı, çiçeklenmeyi; hem de barış için, kardeşlik için, dostluk için, yeni güzel başlangıçlar için ihtiyacımız olan ateşi temsil eden Nevruz Bayramımız hepimize kutlu olsun…

Avrasya'nın, Türk Dünyasının ve bütün insanlığın bu güzel bayramı Nevruz, kardeşliği, dostluğu güçlendirsin… Nevruz, yüzyıllardır olduğu gibi, binyıllarca da çatışmanın değil, kardeşliğin adı olarak anılsın… Ortak kültür ocağımızın odu hiç sönmesin, coşkumuz hiç eksik olmasın…

Ateşimizin kıvılcımları, güllerimizin narin ve renkli yaprakları geleceğe umutlar taşısın …”

Doç. Dr. Murat Erdoğan, DTF Genel Sekreteri