New members can join TURKPA

BAKU. November 3. KAZINFORM /Berik Khamidov/ The Parliamentary Assembly of Turkic-speaking states (TURKPA) can be extended in the long term, Kazakhstan's Majilis member Valikhan Konurbayev announced at the first sitting of the TURKPA Commission for International Relations on Thursday.

"Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan must understand the importance of TURKPA in the development of comprehensive cooperation between the Turkic states, and in time to join our organization. If desired, the parliaments of Bashkortostan and Tatarstan can be invited to join TURKPA," he noted.

In addition, the Kazakh parliamentarian stressed the importance of joining efforts in the fight against religious extremism and international terrorism, as well as establishing close links with member countries of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.

It was decided to hold a second meeting of the Commission for International Relations in 2012 in Kazakhstan.