ISTANBUL DECLARATION (DRAFT)
Dedicated to Canakkale Martyrs with its all sub-activities this year, Fourth World Turkic Forum was held in Gorrion Hotel, Istanbul on April 23 - 25th, 2015. Organized by Turkish Asian Center for Strategic Research (TASAM), the forum focused on “Public Diplomacy, Media and Information“ The event has been attended by opinion leaders, executives of civil society and think tanks, academics from approximately 60 independent Turkic-speaking countries, parliament members, senators, ministers, former presidents, protocol representatives, prime ministers, Secretary General of Turkic Council, Secretary General of TURKPA, Secretary General of TURKSOY, Administration of Overseas Turks and Communities, observer diplomatic mission representatives and experts as well as press members. Forum Wise Persons Council gathered on April 23th and “Red Apple“ Awards were delivered on the 24th.
In this context, new regional topics of “Global Governance; Public Diplomacy, Media, Information“, “Transformation of State’s Nature“, Expectation Management and Security, Public Diplomacy, Media, Information“, “Public Diplomacy“, “New Perspectives for Turkic World and Diaspora“, “Local Governments“, “Civil Society“, “Media“, “Private Sector“, “University and Academy“, “Cinema and TV Broadcasting“, “Tourism, Culture, Publicity and Public Diplomacy“, “Perception Management in Turkic World and Diaspora“, “Socioeconomic and Cultural Integration“, “Armenian Question in its Centenary“, “Student and Academic Exchange Programs in Turkic World“, “2015, Canakkale Spirit in its Centenary“ were discussed. Additionally, participants exchanged views on where cooperation among World Turkic Forum participants is possible.
In conclusion of the Forum:
1. Formerly accepted final papers under the title World Turkic Forum have been confirmed.
2. It has been strongly emphasized that attempts which provoke hatred among nations and defame particular countries and communities be rejected.
3. It has been realized that psychological stories written in the past 100 years have been tried to turn into “political truth“ which whole humanity has to accept.
4. It has been noted that Turkic diaspora may assume crucial roles in resolution of global and regional conflicts, however there are serious structural problems in this respect.
5. It has been expressed that effort to achieve a common language have been acknowledged; however more effort is needed for NGO’s, media and official institutions in this context.
6. It has been emphasized that consolidation of common economic, commercial and political interest fields and formation of new common interest fields are of vital importance in order to maintain and strengthen Turkic identity.
7. Although the reality that Turkic identity is identical to Islam is acknowledged, it is necessary that relations be strengthened with the non-muslim nations and communities who embrace Turkic identity
8. Reactive attempts avail adversaries, therefore proactive approach is needed.
9. Self-propaganda proved to be an ineffective way; however necessary action is self-expression, therefore we need an approach which is established on the distribution of power globally and regionally, inner political situation of certain countries, international allies, rivals and adversaries as well as their material and spiritual states.
10. Particularly in Cyprus question generally in all matters of modern era, media need to be viewed as an important power.
11. The need of integration for Turks living abroad and Turkic diaspora and political participation have been discussed. Participants expressed their views on how Turks can leave minority psychology.
12. Considering the importance of media, a TV station broadcasting in Turkic countries need to be founded by Turkic Council in order to strengthen ties among Turkic people. The TV network should air programs in such topics as art, culture, science and politics. Common language between Turkic communities appears as the main problem in this matter; overcoming this problem could be possible with creation of a “common alphabet“
In this context it has been resolved that:
13. During activities concerning Turkic world, national interests and global politic exigencies need to be taken into account. The activities should not be sacrificed for polarization and regional and global power struggles as well as ideological arguments.
14. Reactive and defensive attitude regarding 1915 incidents need to be abandoned, instead an original and balanced discourse need to be adopted.
15. A committee comprised of 7-8 experts from a variety of disciplines need to be formed in order to create a strategic vision paper which will illuminate official institutions, NGO’s and diaspora endeavors concerning 1915 incidents.
16. From now on, serious definitions and conceptualizations which consider national and international developments with a legal and scientific approach, on 1915 incidents, are of utmost importance; exclusion of individuals and institutions for ideological reasons need to be abandoned.
17. It is obvious that struggles of Turkic world to protect its interests in serious questions such as 1915 incidents only through official channels are insufficient. Therefore the appropriate environment needs to be established so that NGO’s and diaspora could work in a conscious manner.
18. In addition to comprehensive books about 1915 incidents, pamphlets which cover documents and information on Armenian claims in our archives need to be prepared; language of these pamphlets should be concise and understandable so that readers and decision makers can learn the claims of Turkish side.
19. Research on massacres against Turks in regions such as Anatolia, Caucasia, Cyprus, Iraq and East Turkestan should be conducted, and an encyclopedia should be compiled. International public opinion should be familiarized about the mentioned incidents.
20. Gallipoli battle, with its all stories and consequents, should be included in curriculum of history lessons in Turkic countries and the battle’s importance should be emphasized.
21. A monument called “Turkic World Monument“ in memory of all Turkic communities fought and dead martyr in Gallipoli should be built. An excerpt from the poem “Cirpinirdi Karadeniz“ by Ahmet Cevad who also took part in Gallipoli battle should appear on the monument.
22. Structural transformation is essential so that Turkic diaspora could gain sufficient efficiency. Therefore, the diaspora should abandon being a sociological extension of communities in origin countries and, as citizens of their host countries, engage in original activities.
23. Considering the power of media, required environment in order for Turks in diaspora to be recruited in the press of their countries and take part in their managements should be created. Above all, to this end, Turks in diaspora should be encouraged to study in communication schools and required scholarship and support should be made available to the prospective students.
24. The necessary steps to develop relations further with Turkic communities in Western countries and Russia, Moldova, China and the relations between these countries and Turkic world need to be taken in order to contribute to global peace and stability.
25. Books on common history of Turkic nations should be published; more film, documentary, and TV program on “Turkicness“ should be produced. More attention should be paid to promotion of common works.
26. An “intellectual electronic database“ should be established. It should include translations of works in other languages; and all subjects concerning Turkic world should be covered. International Turkic Academy is expected to initiate the project.
27. Cooperation between universities among Turkic world should be enhanced. In addition to developing common values and knowledge, cooperation projects should be prepared in order to achieve scientific development. On the basis of bilateral agreements, the relation between TUBITAK and Turkic countries should be consolidated.
28. Representative offices on behalf of various regions/countries and communities should be established. Additionally, World Turkic Forum Secretariat should work on achieving more efficiency and obtaining observer status at UN and European Council in order to propagate the conclusion paper more widely.
29. World Turkic Forum needs to permanently organize sub-activities with the themes of “Women“, “Youth“, “Children“
30. Special events dealing with problems of Turkic countries or communities living in remote regions of the world need to be organized through the representative offices.
In addition to the above, it has been agreed upon:
31. Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan need to be officially invited to take their part in Nahcivan treaty and join Turkic Council. As a nongovernmental body, a delegation formed under the framework of World Turkic Forum need to convey, written and verbally, the importance of the issue as well as insistent and candid wish of World Turkic Community in this respect.
32. In order to enhance their power and efficiency, a ten year long framework program which will enable Turkic diasporas, as institutions, to contribute more efficiently to their host countries needs to be developed and the roles of all parties need to be flexibly defined.
33. Following the presidential election in Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, it needs to be confirmed that the negotiations which will restart, will be yielding and the last attempt in this respect. After the last negotiation, official recognition of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus by Turkic countries should be facilitated.
34. Occupation of Crimea is a threat to the world peace and violation of international law. Crimea leader Mustafa Abdulcemil Kırımoglu and all Crimeans should be allowed to live in the homeland. Reasons preventing Crimean-Tatars to protect their national identity should be removed.
35. Armenia should retreat from Karabakh, which is Azerbaijan soil, and 7 provinces around it and withdraw its military forces. Citizens who had to leave the regions should be allowed to move back to their homeland.
April 25th, Istanbul
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