Istanbul: The First Informal Meeting of Speakers of TURKPA Member Parliaments took place in Istanbul on April 16, alongside the 152nd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU). This meeting included observer states and high-level representatives from Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, marking a significant event in regional parliamentary cooperation.
According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, the event was hosted by Numan Kurtulmus, Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey. Key attendees included Yerlan Koshanov, Chairman-in-Office of TURKPA and Speaker of the Mazhilis of the Parliament of Kazakhstan; Sahiba Gafarova, Speaker of the Milli Majlis of Azerbaijan; Marlen Mamataliev, Speaker of the Jogorku Kenesh of Kyrgyzstan; Tanzila Narbaeva, Speaker of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan; M¡rta M¡trai, First Deputy Speaker of the Hungarian National Assembly; Fazilet -zdenefe, Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Northern Cyprus; Maksat Kuliyev, Chairman of the International and Interparliamentary Relations Commission of Turkmenistan; and TURKPA Secretary General Ambassador Ramil Hasan.
Speakers of the member states commended the achievements of TURKPA and expressed their commitment to enhancing political, economic, and cultural cooperation. They emphasized the importance of developing a common legislative framework and model laws within the organization.
A report was presented by Secretary General Ambassador Ramil Hasan, highlighting the activities over the past six months, including meetings with parliament and foreign affairs leaders from member and observer states. Ambassador Hasan announced the completion of new legal documents as part of TURKPA's reform process and the finalization of the Budget Programme for 2027-2028.
Ambassador Hasan expressed confidence in Uzbekistan's Senate soon becoming a TURKPA member and acknowledged the growing collaboration with Turkmenistan, Hungary, and Northern Cyprus. He also thanked Speaker Numan Kurtulmus for hosting the upcoming conference 'New Cooperation in Eurasia: The Role of TURKPA and Developing Strategic Relations - Parliamentary Diplomacy,' scheduled for September in Turkey.
The meeting concluded with a family photo and a reaffirmation of support for TURKPA's initiatives and the Secretary General's report. The TURKPA International Secretariat was represented by Deputy Secretaries General Talgat Aduov and Muhammet Alper Hayali, among other officials.