THE REPORT OF HÜRRÝYET DAILY NEWS PUBLISHED ON NOVEMBER 6, 2010
Hürriyet Daily News reported as news their interview with Dr. Akkan Suver on the role of regional summits in development and problem solving on the 6th of November 2010. (November 6, 2010)
Marmara Foundation President |
It is important for Turkic-speaking countries to have comprehensive regional cooperation mechanisms, according to Dr. Akkan Suver, board chairman of the Marmara Foundation, a Turkish non-governmental organization active in Eurasian issues.
Meetings among the Turkish-speaking states are very important, Suver said, adding that the formation of an energy association would be very valuable for all concerned.
Within the forum of Turkic-speaking countries, joint solutions for economic, environment and energy strategies can be produced, Suver told the Hürriyet Daily News & Economic Review in a recent interview.
Suver is the board chairman of The Marmara Group Strategic and Social Research Foundation, or MGV, an important non-governmental organization known for its annual Eurasian Economic Summit and frequently published studies.
Meetings among Turkic-speaking countries such as the most recent ones held in Istanbul in September and late October are meant “to further strengthen the solidarity, common interests and relationships based on the common history, language, identity and culture,” Suver said.
The September meeting was attended by the presidents of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan and Turkey, with the heads of state primarily focusing on “promoting trade and economic relations based on the principles of equality and mutual interest and in expanding their cooperation in all areas such as industry, agriculture, transportation, communications, hydroelectric power, alternative energy and tourism,” he said.
The leaders also agreed to establish Turkic-speaking Countries Business Council in order to foster economic cooperation and decided to explore the possibility of the establishment of the Turkic-speaking Countries' Development Bank in Istanbul as well as a joint insurance company to support development of non-oil sectors and create new opportunities for private sectors,” Suver said.
Certain countries are missing
Suver is, however, critical of the fact that several countries were missing from the council and said representation from Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Mongolia should be strengthened for the 20th anniversary of Commonwealth of Independent States next year.
“A shortcoming was the matter of representation from northern Cyprus, Mongolia, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, which are countries that will greatly benefit from acting in concert with us,” Suver said.
Noting the importance of northern Cyprus’ representation, Suver called on Turkey to assume a historic responsibility in this regard and talk about why its case is justified in the geographical area of Eurasia.
According to Suver, it is also up to Turkey and Azerbaijan to draw Uzbekistan into the fold of the council.
“Here in the first place, the mission falls to Turkish President Abdullah Gül, and then to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev. If Uzbekistan’s president, Islam Karimov, has some concerns and hesitations, they must be promptly removed,” he said.
“We sincerely hope that Uzbekistan will take its place inside this organization for the occasion of the 20th freedom anniversary,” Suver said.
Rising interest in Mongolia
Tajikistan and Mongolia have to be invited to this association as observers or advisory members, Suver said.
In 2006, the foundation head visited in Ulan Bator, the capital of Mongolia, where the president at the time awarded him the country's highest medal, the Medal of Genghis Khan, for the Marmara Group Foundation’s annually organized Eurasian Economic Summits.
“Mongolia has a very positive approach to Turkey. Constructing the road to the Göktürk monuments and the conversion of the Göktürk monuments into an indoor museum by the TÝKA [Turkish International Development and Cooperation Agency] has had an enormous impact there,” Suver said.
Suver calls for Black Sea energy association
Suver also emphasized the importance of the issue of energy and called on the Black Sea countries to form an energy association that he strongly believes is needed to prevent the unfavorable and unnecessary structures which the individual agreements between other Black Sea countries could bring about.
“I am concerned about the energy lines that would be created, considering some political interests which may result in the undue and uneven distribution of existing capacity,” Suver said.
As an example, he pointed to how much the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline and the Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum gas pipeline provide in advantages to the global energy security and sustainable economic development of the region.
There are nearly 20 projects on the boards for transporting oil and natural gas from various points in Central Asia to the West, according to Suver.
Energy associations are necessary not only for energy efficiency but also for the environment, ecology and economic relations of the Black Sea countries, Suver said.
“We have known that coal when burned pollutes the environment for many years. I mean we have been cautious about the use of coal since it produces carbon dioxide when burned. However natural gas which is known as the cleanest fuel produces carbon dioxide as well,” he said.
“I believe that we should put a joint renewable energy project into effect in the Black Sea and reconsider economic requirements in terms of ecological balance and our health.”
The MGV plans to make the topic of an energy association an important part of its next Eurasian Economic Summit in April 2011.