Azerbaijan, Baku /corr. Trend S.Agayeva / Azerbaijan fully supports the idea of establishing an Academy of Sciences of Turkic-speaking countries, Azerbaijan's Minister of Education, Misir Mardanov, briefed the media on 20 November.
The initiative to establish an Academy of Sciences of Turkic-speaking countries was made by the Heads of Azerbaijan and Turkey during the 11th congress of friendship, fraternity and co-operation of Turkic-speaking countries and societies in Baku on 17-19 November. According to the Minister, Azerbaijan is prepared to make all efforts to realize this idea. Creating a common language of Turkic-speaking countries is a little difficult. Firstly relations need to develop in Turkic-speaking countries with regards to education and culture and establish a channel with a common language.
The Congress brought together nearly 550 delegates from 30 countries, including the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, the Prime Minister of Turkey, Rajab Tayyub Erdogan and high-ranking governmental representatives of Turkic-speaking states.
The Congress focused on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the North Cyprus problem, the situation of Turkic-speaking peoples residing in Iraq and Afghanistan and problems in returning Akhiska Turks to their native land. Six commissions will function within the Congress.
The 11th Congress was attended by representatives of Turkic-speaking peoples residing in Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Mongolia, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Altay region of Russia, Bashkortostan, Chuvash, Dagestan, Gabardine-Balkan, Tatarstan, Garachay-Cherkez Republic, Crimea Romania, Bulgaria, Kosovo and Greece, as well as Kumuk, Nogday, North Cyprus, Gagauz and Akhiska Turks.