AK Party delegation paid a courtesy visit to the Secretary General of the Parliamentary Assembly of Turkic States (TURKPA) in Baku

On 25 February 2026, a high-level delegation led by Mr. Kürşad Zorlu, Deputy Chairman of the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) and Head of Relations with Turkic States, paid an official visit to the Secretary General of the Parliamentary Assembly of Turkic States (TURKPA), Ambassador Ramil Hasan, in Baku.

The delegation accompanying Mr. Zorlu included Mr. Mahmut Rıdvan Nazırlı, Deputy Head of Relations with Turkic States and Member of the TURKPA Commission on Economic Cooperation; Mr. Naim Makas and Mr. Temel Akyürek, Deputy Heads of the Relations with Turkic States; and Advisor Mr. Muhammet Tolga Beşen.

The meeting, which took place at the TURKPA International Secretariat, constituted a return visit following earlier consultations held in Ankara after Ambassador Ramil Hasan assumed office as Secretary General.

Welcoming the delegation, Secretary General Hasan conveyed his appreciation for the visit. He emphasized the strategic significance of the newly established Department for Relations with Turkic States within the AK Party and underscored the added value of Mr. Zorlu’s appointment, noting his extensive familiarity with the Turkic world.

Mr. Zorlu recalled their close cooperation during previous assignments and referred to Ambassador Hasan as a key figure who contributed to opening the Organization toward the West. He highlighted TURKPA’s role in convening the Parliaments of Turkic States across various specialized fields and facilitating structured parliamentary dialogue.

During the discussions, Mr. Zorlu pointed out that, under the auspices of the President of the Republic of Türkiye and AK Party Chairman Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the Department for Relations with Turkic States had prepared a comprehensive “Vision Document of the Turkic World” within only one year of its establishment. He further expressed their readiness to allocate a dedicated session to TURKPA at the upcoming 1st Politics Forum planned for the next period.

Ambassador Hasan briefed the delegation on TURKPA's recent activities. He detailed the ongoing work of the Assembly's standing commissions, which continue to focus on their respective areas of expertise, including the development of model laws. He also stressed TURKPA’s legislative responsibilities in implementing decisions adopted at the Summits of the Heads of State of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS).

The discussions also covered TURKPA's expanding international engagement. Ambassador Hasan announced that under the chairmanship of H.E. Yerlan Koşanov, Chairman of the Mazhilis of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan and current TURKPA Chair-in-Office, the Assembly has formally applied for observer status with the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE PA). Furthermore, it was shared that an Informal Summit of TURKPA Member Parliament Speakers will convene on 16 April 2026 in Istanbul, on the margins of the 152nd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU).

A key highlight of the meeting was the announcement of an upcoming international conference. Titled "New Cooperation in Eurasia: The Role of TURKPA in Developing Strategic Relations – Parliamentary Diplomacy," the event will be held in Istanbul in May 2026, with the opening address to be delivered by H.E. Numan Kurtulmuş, Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye. Secretary General Hasan extended a cordial invitation to Mr. Zorlu to attend.

Both parties concurred that articulating the unity of Turkic States represents a significant responsibility and an important mission, emphasizing its critical contribution to regional prosperity and international peace. The forthcoming international conference was deemed a vital platform for demonstrating how Turkic cooperation is not directed against any party but aims to contribute to the well-being and prosperity of all humanity.

Concluding the meeting, the sides expressed their sincere wishes for the successful completion of the upcoming referendum process in Kazakhstan.

The cordial meeting concluded with the presentation of commemorative gifts.

The meeting was also attended by officials from the TURKPA International Secretariat, including Deputy Secretaries General Mr. Talgat Aduov and Mr. Muhammet Alper Hayali; Commission Secretary Mr. Kadir Yaman; Head of Protocol Department Mr. Yadigar Mammadov; Assistant to the Secretary General Ms. Takhmina Bakieva; and Public Relations Officer Ms. Fidan Majidli.