Category: Asia and Pacific

  • Turkish President: “Fight Against Terrorism Is Most Important Issue Of Turkey”

    Turkish President: “Fight Against Terrorism Is Most Important Issue Of Turkey”

    Monday, 14 June 2010

    Turkish President Abdullah Gul said Sunday that fight against terrorism was the most important issue of Turkey.

    Gul replied to questions of reporters on board the plane en route from Turkey to South Korea.

    “Terrorist organizations are used or motivated sometimes. They don’t have their own rules. Together we should fight against terrorism. We are combating it also by minimizing it and isolating it with all dimensions. Fight against terrorism is always atop the agenda of Turkey,” he said.

    Replying to a question, Gul said, “Turkey will get rid of terrorism.

    Turkey’s standards have been upgraded. The country’s democracy standards are of great importance for isolation of terrorism. We will do whatever we can to get rid of it. There is no other way. We will overcome this issue. Our fight will continue till terrorism is isolated.”


    Monday, 14 June 2010

    A.A

     

    Turkish Weekly

  • Approaches of Caucasus to Israeli Aggression

    Approaches of Caucasus to Israeli Aggression

    Israil askeriThere has been a great resistance in the international arena to Israeli operation on volunteers who tried to help Gaza. Everybody who is against Israel or not pointed out that Israeli action was not acceptable for the values of humanity. Especially some groups which bear religious or humane values held great meetings and discussed Israel’s position in the region.

    Different sides have different approaches to Israeli intervention into Turkish-Israeli relations. Opposite groups give anti-Turkish speeches because of Turkey’s important policies on the foreign affairs in the region. All media organs in Russia and Caucasus briefly talked about Israel’s actions and the situation of people. Some writers declared that Israel was a big problem for the region and the world from the time it was founded. Pravda, which is a media organ in Russia, criticized Israel’s action against Turkey and supported Israel’s terrorism based politics. Pravda praised the efforts of volunteers and said that action was only against Turkey. Russian authorities underlined Israel’s bad situation during the meeting of the United Nations Security Council. The state accused Israel because of its violation of the international law and called Israel to leave Gaza. Other Russian media organs analyzed the possibility of new balances in the region, a possible war in the Mediterranean and possible situation of Israel to terminate itself.

    Armenia, with which Turkey tried to normalize its relations, has different approaches about the last issues. Commonly media members and academicians pointed out how national interests were influenced by tensions between Turkey and Israel with too many contradictions.

    Ruben Mehrabyan, who is a researcher from Armenian Center of International and Political Research, talked to an Armenian news agency. He stated that Israel worked to protect its security when it attacked ships. “The purpose of the action to break the sea blockade of Gaza was to test Israel’s tolerance and determination. In the long run, a force has come to power in Israel, which is interested in the problem of Israelis’ right to life, rather than Palestinians’ rights. Naturally, Israel must act how it is supposed to in order to ensure its own security. Israel’s steps were aimed to ensure Israel’s security irrespective of what flag the ships were flying”. Mehrabyan underlined that action wasn’t against Turkey. He spoke about political and legal results of the tension: “We should not forget that Turkish-Israeli relations are not as they were before; they are worsening. It is not Israel’s initiative. Turkey is the cause, as it is trying to restore its influence in the Middle East.”

    Another analyze in Armenia now emphasized that last issue was a result of the Davos tension in 2009, Turkey damaged normalization process with Armenia and Western states weren’t content with Turkish position in the region. According to the analyze Turkey shouldn’t have cooperated with Iran. According to Ruben Melkonyan from Yerevan State University, Knesset will recognize so-called Armenian genocide issue and Jewish Lobbies can support Armenian people. According to Melkonyan, strategic partnership of Turkey and Israel cannot be ended for a short time but it can lead to different circumstances for next elections. If the current government continues, new situation could turn against to Armenia. He reminds supports of Pakistan to Azerbaijan without Armenia.

    Russia and Azerbaijan keep their positions to blame Israeli politics as positive approaches. But we can classify Armenian predictions about the last issue like that:

    • Parliament of Israel will recognize Armenian genocide issue after the last tension with Turkey.

    • Lobbies of Israel will have new approaches about Armenian issue and support Armenia.

    • If the current administration in Turkey wins elections for next time, Armenia will be harmed by Turkish politics.

    • Violence might increase against minorities in Turkey. Especially Jewish and Armenian minorities can be discriminated by Turks. Armenian people who know 1955 syndrome should be ready to all actions.

    • If Turkey continues to increase and grow its popularity in the region, there could be new tensions like Israeli issue.

    Mehmet Fatih ÖZTARSU – Institute of Strategic Thinking

  • Newsletter of the Embassy of Azerbaijan – Vol.III Issue

    Newsletter of the Embassy of Azerbaijan – Vol.III Issue

    Date: Fri, 4 Jun 2010 17:52

    To: Turkish Forum

    From: azerbaijan@azembassy.us

    jpeg THE NEWSLETTER
    Embassy of Azerbaijan
    Washington D. C.
    Volume III, Issue # 6 June 4, 2010

    In This Issue:

    Secretary Clinton: Azerbaijan is an Important and Reliable Supplier of Energy to World Markets
    Azerbaijan’s First Satellite to Be Launched in 2012


    Azerbaijan to Establish ‘E-Government’


    New Oil and Gas Processing Complex to Be Built in Baku
    Presentation of Azerbaijan at International Trade Exhibition in Pennsylvania


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    SECRETARY CLINTON: AZERBAIJAN IS AN IMPORTANT AND RELIABLE SUPPLIER OF ENERGY TO WORLD MARKETS

    jpeg In a letter addressed to President Ilham Aliyev on the occasion of the opening of the 17th Caspian International Oil and Gas Conference in Baku, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton commended the key role played by Azerbaijan in the region, its responsible development of energy resources leading to rapid economic progress as well as the partnership between the two countries

    “Your country has emerged as an important and reliable supplier of energy to world markets. Azerbaijan is an example of how energy resources hold the promise of linking people through trade and investment. Your country’s commitment to develop its resources in a responsible manner has resulted in rapid economic progress and the creation of professional opportunities for thousands of Azerbaijani citizens. This in turn has enhanced your country’s independence. Working closely with your regional neighbors, including Georgia and Turkey, Azerbaijan has successfully developed the East-West Energy Corridor, including the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline and South Caucasus gas pipeline. These projects epitomize what can be achieved with dedication and cooperation. The United States is proud to have been a partner of Azerbaijan in realizing these important projects”, Secretary said.

    “As we look to the future, the United States supports your efforts to develop your oil and natural gas fields and to diversify your energy supply routes. This will benefit Azerbaijan as a producer country, while also enhancing energy security for consumer countries. In particular, we look forward to Azerbaijan’s continued leadership in realizing the Southern Corridor for gas transport to Europe in the near future. In Azerbaijan’s drive to continue developing its energy resources, you will find a strong partner in the United States”, Secretary said.
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    AZERBAIJAN’S FIRST SATELLITE TO BE LAUNCHED IN 2012

    jpegAzerbaijan has signed a contract with Orbital Sciences Corp. to design, build and deliver its first telecommunications satellite

    The AzerSat spacecraft will be launched in 2012 into the 46 degrees east longitude orbital position.

    Azerbaijan views the AzerSat satellite, whose manufacture, launch and insurance is estimated to cost around $200 million, as the first pillar of what it intends as a new national space program coordinated by a newly-established national space agency “AzerCosmos”.

    The satellite will be based on Orbital’s flight-proven STAR-2 platform and will generate approximately five kilowatts of payload power for 36 active transponders. Upon completion of in-orbit testing, operational control of the satellite will be handed over to Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Communications and IT, which will continue to operate the spacecraft from its control center in Baku.

    Ali Abbasov, Minister of Communications and IT of the Republic of Azerbaijan, said that “The AzerSat project is a keystone to the advancement and progress of Azerbaijan as we significantly expand our communications infrastructure within our borders and our connectivity to Europe, Central Asia, Africa and the Middle East.”

    Orbital Sciences Corp., a U.S. company, develops and manufactures small- and medium-class rockets and space systems for commercial, military and civil government customers.
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    AZERBAIJAN TO ESTABLISH
    ‘E-GOVERNMENT’

    jpeg The Cabinet of Ministers of Azerbaijan adopted a regulation confirming a 2010-2011 action plan on forming e-government in the country, the Ministry of Communications and IT reported

    The action plan is designed to improve methods of governance through broader use of modern information and communication technologies in government bodies, and organization of e-services, as well as implementation of comprehensive measures to provide a simplified and free access of citizens and organizations to these services.

    According to the Cabinet’s regulation, the Ministry of Communications and IT will be coordinating the implementation of the action plan.

    Formation and development of e-government in Azerbaijan is expected to lead to increased efficiency and improved public services, as well as more transparency and accountability.

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    NEW OIL AND GAS PROCESSING COMPLEX TO BE BUILT IN BAKU

    jpeg State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) plans to build a new oil and gas processing and petrochemical complex near Baku, scheduled for completion between 2018 and 2019

    SOCAR said the planned facility would include a 40-billion cm/year gas processing plant, a 15-million t/year oil refinery, as well as chemical, petrochemical, and power plants.

    As an additional outlet for rising oil and gas production, the new complex will enable Azerbaijan to process more volumes of oil and gas within the country.

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    PRESENTATION OF AZERBAIJAN AT INTERNATIONAL TRADE EXHIBITION IN PENNSYLVANIA

    jpegIn the framework of the celebration of the Republic Day of Azerbaijan, the Embassy of Azerbaijan, in cooperation with the US-Azerbaijan Chamber of Commerce (USACC), participated at the International Trade Conference and Exhibition organized on May 27 by the World Trade Center of Central Pennsylvania in Camp Hill, PA

    Azerbaijan’s exhibition stand presented various books, booklets, maps and DVDs on the country’s growing economic potential, tourism, business and investment opportunities, the development of its IT industry and large-scale projects implemented in this field, as well as on Azerbaijani culture and arts.

    Documentary films on Azerbaijan’s economic and social development, history, culture and nature shown at the stand attracted the attention of exhibition attendees. Numerous questions of attendees were answered by Embassy and USACC representatives.

  • Election Process in Nagorno Karabakh

    Election Process in Nagorno Karabakh

    After the collapse of Soviet Union there was unsolved problem of Caucasus which is named Nagorno Karabakh. In the date of May 23, 2010 very important progress has been experienced in Karabakh. Seperatist government of Karabakh realised an election which is not accepted by governments and international organizations because of giving message of it is an independent government. It was the fifth election since 1993 and 4 party and 45 candidate was competed for 33 chairs and Free Motherland Party has performed to the leadership. The election which is involved of 70 percent of Karabakh public has born big discussions in a few time.

    Arayik Harutyunyan which is the Prime Minister of de-facto Karabakh government is still maintaining leadership of Free Motherland Party. Karabakh Democratic Party, Karabakh Communist Party and Armenian Revolutionist Federation are the other parties which involved to these elections. Free Motherland Party has taken approximately 50 percent of votes and there was more than 100 international observers in these elections.

    Seperatist regime in Karabakh caused a new paradox especially in Minsk Group’s peace progress. Nagorno Karabakh is actually in the land of Azebaijan but it is occupied bu Armenia without any law suitable to intenational law and now it is making election as it is independent government this was took a hard response from international community. Approaching of Azerbaijani community in Karabakh to this election was firstly occupiers must leave Karabakh and Azerbaijani community must return to their land, Azerbaijani and Armenian people must leave together with a new order. After these conditions provided then any election can be legitamate. Any election without these points would be the continous of unlawful status. If subject is critised with Madrid Principles which is the last point of Minsk Process Armenian one sided attitude in peace process. After the elections Armenian Minister of Foreign Affairs Edvard Nalbandyan declared that elections were free and democratic and it had created a legitimate government. He said many independent observes had been in elections. And international community has to have good relationships with new government if they wants the problems solved. Bako Sahakyan who is President of seperatist Karabakh government said that elections were independently and independency of Karabakh has to be recognised and people of Karabakh choices has to be respected.
    At the point reached in this situation Turkey, Azerbaijan and Russia and international organizations in many countries of the Minsk Group declared elections have no legal basis and neither side expressed concern. Azerbaijan has condemned the situation with a sharp tongue and wanted to show the same reaction from the United Nations. OSCE (European Security and Cooperation Organization), United Nations, European Union, the United States and Russia underlined that choices do not solve the problem, contrary it would cause to continue stated problem.(1) The parties that emphasized current trend must continue and for ensuring legitimacy Madrid Principles have to be accepted by Armenia.
    According to the recommedations in full text in Madrid Principles created in 2007 and presented in last year so far many problems have to be solved and agreement for Karabakh’s new status have to be reached. Realisation of substances in recommendations has become more difficult because of final steps of Armenia.
    Recommendations to the leaders of Azerbaijan and Armenia:

    1. Until the elections which will be held in 2008, consists of the following principles must be tailored to the bill:
    a. The location of the security and international peace-keeping force must be guaranteed.
    b. Armed forces of Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh, Lachin Kelbajar and especially around the occupied Nagorno-Karabakh must leave the entire land.
    c. Forced immigrants must return to their lands .
    d. Current status of Nagorno Karabakh should be determined by the voting system, and until that its temporary status should be designated and, all traffic and trade routes should be opened
    2. All shares are being agreed for the controversial section should be indicated.
    3. With elections to be held in 2008 in the campaign appropriate environment should be prepared to political leaders to create positive atmosphere for peace and tranquility.
    Recommendations for Armenia, Azerbaijan and de-facto government Nagorno-Karabakh

    4. Sides should act in accordance with the cease-fire signed in 1994. Should leave the show of force, to increase their defense budgets, the mutual accusations, agitations and drive away from peace statements should be left.
    5. Diplomacy outside activities, including the above principles have been agreed at talks about the decision should continue. Even countries councils should be encouraged to do the negotiations and relations between Azerbaijanis and Armenians should try to strengthen.
    6. Nagorno-Karabakh’s de-facto administration should put an end to the to be placed on the Armenians in the occupied land , to the continuation of privatization activities in the region, the creation of new building space, to the construction of local buildings.
    7. Azerbaijan Nagorno should recognise the possibility Azerbaijani leaders to select their own community should recognize the possibility of oil revenues to benefit all citizens and immigrants to increase transparency and reduce corruption in the trials should be done. (2)
    Many of the issues, Armenia’s “rejection of the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan” could not be applied over because of Armenia’s “rejection of the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan”. Time to time, Armenia use it put forward in the country fear mood to impress international community and the world public opinion should recognize Karabakh as an independent state.
    New Approaches of Regional Powers

    Elections have been held in Karabakh since 1993, lack of response as big as this because there is no positive state before 2000. But in the reached point Armenia’s passive-Karabakh policy stopped peace negotiations to accelerate, the Minsk Group to the region continuously for the loss of visits to perform. By following this policy in Bishkek Protocol, 1994 Management and Azerbaijan in Nagorno-Karabakh problem has managed to pass to the official notes that Armenia has been pursuing the same policy in the new era. If the last review in 2009 will be seen that the rhetoric, stating that Azerbaijan has always followed an aggressive policy to Armenia, the situation does not continue in their favor they would recognize Karabakh as an independent state has indicated.
    In 2010 Turkey, Russia and the U.S. about the growing activities impress Armenia to new conditions. Igor Popov told the Russian Co-chairman of the Minsk Group, Russia’s active policy in solving the problem in this country will follow soon matter stated. Again, after elections in the Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Andrei Nesterenko, Karabakh in any way they don’t recognise Karabakh as an independent state and they respect to integrity of Azerbaijan and that the Karabakh problem should be resolved in this framework stated.(3) Turkey, aim at develop the relations with Armenia prerequisite to emphasize reiterating the urgent need to solve the Karabakh issue and the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan guarantee is not broken by any power. They think to bring Turkey to Co-chairman status to Minsk Group and give very active part to Turkey to solve this problem. After a long break while the U.S. ambassador to Baku was appointed as the Minsk Group Matthew Bryza of the United States has made a Co-chairman. Karabakh in particular the U.S usually in the Caucasus policy, the new expansions will be performed in the new era of Armenia’s stance will be shaped by the U.S. and other countries.
    Armenia may be exposed to various pressures because of attitude in the new era may be exposed to various pressures and position themselves in the region will open to outside intervention can make out. In this issue of Turkey in Turkish-Armenian relations towards Karabakh any objection to the requirement did not matter. Regardless of the region as a unilateral world needs to accept that indicates that Armenia will take steps soon again will be determined by the attitude of the international community. Follow-driven politics since independence, Armenia, because of the Russian new attitude it can not see the hope. The increasing U.S. influence in Azerbaijan, with its headquarters location becomes more difficult for Armenia, the adoption of the principles can be subjected to the pressure on the inside. The economic problems of the Armenian people living today, the social crisis brought and vast majority of people do not give importance about the Karabakh issue as they has in the past.
    Mehmet Fatih ÖZTARSU – Institute of Strategic Thinking
    http://sde.org.tr/

    (1) ATET Dağlıq Qarabağda Keçirilen Seçkini Tanımır, ,
    (2) Mehmet Fatih Öztarsu, Madrid Prensipleri ve Karabağ Görüşmeleri, Stratejik Düşünce Enstitüsü, ,
    (3) Panorama Armenia, https://www.panorama.am/en/news/2010/05/24/rf-mid-nkr/1103483
  • Turkey Prioritizes Independent Regional Policies in the Middle East and the South Caucasus

    Turkey Prioritizes Independent Regional Policies in the Middle East and the South Caucasus

    Turkey Prioritizes Independent Regional Policies in the Middle East and the South Caucasus

    Publication: Eurasia Daily Monitor Volume: 7 Issue: 105

    June 1, 2010

    By: Saban Kardas

    Turkey continued its regional diplomacy, following the historic visit by Russian President Medvedev to Ankara (EDM, May 20). Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan paid back-to-back trips to Greece, Iran and Azerbaijan, which underscored Turkey’s rising activism in its neighborhood, as well as highlighting divergence with the United States.

    The most controversial development was the deal Turkey brokered jointly with Brazil regarding the Iranian nuclear issue. Building on the groundwork laid by their foreign ministers, Turkish and Brazilian leaders convinced their Iranian counterpart to agree on a proposal made earlier by the international community, under which it would swap its low-enriched uranium with enriched rods for a medical research reactor. The exchange will take place in Turkey.

    Turkey portrayed the agreement as a historic achievement that would end the stalemate over Iran’s nuclear program, and bring peace to the Middle East, emphasizing that Iran agreed to sign a document stipulating concrete obligations (www.cnnturk.com, May 17). However, the reactions to the deal from the United States and Western powers put Turkey in a rather controversial position rather than to earn the sort of praise it was anticipating. Since the deal came amidst news that the United States succeeded in getting other permanent members of the UN Security Council agree on new sanctions, this development increasingly pit Ankara and Washington against each other.

    From an American perspective, the deal was not satisfactory because Iran agreed to the conditions proposed back in October 2009 while it did not commit to end its nuclear program. In particular it is emphasized that while the amount of fuel Iran agrees to return, 1,200 kilograms, was significant at the time it was first proposed, since then Iran is likely to have expanded its stockpile of enriched uranium, which is not under inspection. Turkish Foreign Minister, Ahmet Davutoglu, remained defiant. Arguing that the United States was kept informed about the negotiations with Iran, Davutoglu contended that Iran’s promises were satisfactory and should be the basis of efforts to solve the diplomatic standoff (Today’s Zaman, May 20). Meanwhile, a recent development somehow adds credibility to Turkey’s arguments. Reportedly, Obama sent a letter to Brazilian President in April wherein he urged him to pursue the efforts to convince Iran to accept the exchange the 1,200 kilograms of uranium on Turkish territory, though noting that the US would also pursue the sanctions path (letter available at:www.politicaexterna.com/archives/11023.

    Amid statements coming from the United States and other powers that concerns over Iran’s nuclear program did not disappear, Erdogan sought to mobilize the international community behind the deal with Iran. He telephoned President Barack Obama, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and many other leaders, as well as sending letters to many others, asking them to prevent sanctions against Iran and give diplomacy a chance. Although Obama appreciated Turkish efforts, he underlined that they would expect to see Iran’s interpretation of the deal, and kept the option for sanctions open (Anadolu Ajansi, May 20, May 22).

    Iran sent a letter to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Monday explaining the deal brokered by Turkey and Brazil in detail. As anticipated, while the United States did not find Iran’s commitments satisfactory, Turkey insisted on its earlier position. Meanwhile, Erdogan started his historic tour of South America. Speaking in Brazil, he reiterated in strong words that the deal brokered by Brazil and Turkey was a historical breakthrough, and they would continue to work toward a nuclear free world (www.haberturk.com, May 28).

    The challenges posed by Iran’s nuclear program are unlikely to subdue, as Iran remains committed to continue with its program. Turkey’s policy so far demonstrates that it is increasingly self-confident in undertaking foreign policy initiatives in its region and toward that end it could even risk confrontation with the United States. Especially the fact that Turkey went ahead with these efforts despite the news about a new draft UN Security Council being prepared is worth mentioning here. Turkey has made clear on many occasions that it would not approve tougher measures against Iran considering the negative repercussions of such a move (EDM, March 20). Reiterating this position on several regional and international platforms, Davutoglu invested much of his time on this issue over the last couple of months, as he and his team held numerous meetings with their Iranian counterparts to find a negotiated solution. Therefore, Turkish leaders would not like to see all their efforts go in vain as a result of a new round of sanctions, which would pose a serious blow to their credibility in the region and at home.

    Overall, the Turkish leaders seem to assume good will on Iran’s part and do not seriously consider the possibility that Iran might be manipulating their willingness to mediate in this crisis to undermine the quasi-coalition the United States has delicately managed to form. Given Iran’s track record, the United States is increasingly concerned that Iran might not be acting in good faith and is using such last-minute deals to avoid tougher reactions (Today’s Zaman, May 24). Given these conflict interpretations of Iran’s nuclear program, we might observe growing divergence of opinions between Ankara and Washington.

    Erdogan also paid a visit to Baku and Tbilisi, following his trip to Tehran, which also underscored another dimension of Ankara’s regional policies, conducted independently of Washington’s priorities. After the normalization with Armenia, which was promoted by Washington, hit an apparent deadlock, Erdogan’s trip to Baku served as yet another affirmation of Ankara’s determination to keep Baku at the center of its Caucasus policy. Erdogan reiterated support for the Azeri position on Karabakh, which seemed to go a long way toward repairing the damage caused by Turkey’s efforts to achieve a rapprochement with Armenia.

    As a concrete indication of such a thaw, it is expected that Azerbaijani leader Ilham Aliyev will visit Turkey in early June. Aliyev had avoided visiting Turkey in apparent protest of Turkish-Armenian normalization and Turkey’s position on the natural gas negotiations (EDM, October 21, 2009). A deal recently reached between the two countries would bring an end to the negotiations concerning the price for Turkey’s purchases from Azerbaijan and conditions for the passage of Azeri gas to Europe through Turkish territory. Although the agreement was expected to be signed during Erdogan’s visit, it is postponed for Aliyev’s visit by which time the two parties will also finalize the remaining details. While saying that they “will crown the agreement during Mr. President’s visit,” Erdogan perhaps expressed how much he attaches significance to Aliyev’s upcoming trip (Hurriyet, May 17).

  • Turkey’s President opens Embassy, Culture Center in Kazakhstan

    Turkey’s President opens Embassy, Culture Center in Kazakhstan

    Culture CenterTurkey’s President Abdullah Gul inaugurated Turkey’s Embassy and a Turkish Culture Center in the Kazakh capital Astana on Wednesday.

    Delivering a speech in the inauguration ceremony, Gul said, “we are very happy because we are opening the new building of the Turkish embassy.”

    Gul recalled that Turkey was the first country that recognized the independence of Kazakhstan.

    Later Gul and Kazakhstan’s President Nursultan Nazarbayev visited the International Exhibition of Arms and Military-Technical Equipment KADEX-2010 in Astana.

    President Gul also met with Kazakh and Turkish businessmen over a luncheon.

    Yunus Emre Culture Center, named after a 13th century Turkish poet and Sufi mystic, has become the fifth culture center opened abroad. Yunus Emre Foundation had earlier opened centers in Sarajevo, Tirana, Cairo and Skopje. The foundation plans to open new culture centers in Cologne, London, Moscow, Paris and Damascus this year.

    President Gul also said that Yunus Emre Culture Center aims to keep Turkish language and culture alive, and also to spread it.

    He said that Turkish culture prevailed in the Balkans and Central Asia, adding that these culture centers would help those who want to learn Turkish.

    Following the inauguration ceremony, Gul also visited a Turkish-Kazakh high school in Astana.

    Later, Gul departed from Kazakhstan to return home.

    AA