Cooperation between Turkic States is developing in a wide range, making progress in various fields, especially in transportation, economy, education, science and culture. With the membership of Uzbekistan to the Cooperation Council of Turkic Speaking States (Turkic Council) in 2019 and Turkmenistan becoming an observer member in 2022, leading to the expansion of the scope of cooperation within the framework of the Turkic Council. As it will be remembered, the Turkic Council evolved into the "Organization of Turkic States" with the declaration published at the 8th Summit of the Turkic Council Heads of State in November 2021.

The Parliamentary Assembly of Turkic Speaking Countries (Türk Dili Konuşan Ülkeler Parlamenterler Asamblesi - TÜRKPA), which is among the organizations with which the Organization of Turkic States has a partnership relationship, was established in 2008 to enhance inter-parliamentary cooperation between Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Türkiye, develop political dialogue between member states and to harmonize the national legislation of member states.  The Secretariat of the Organization is located in Baku, and the highest decision-making body is the Council of Assembly that consists of the speakers of the national assemblies of the member countries. TURKPA has four permanent specialized commissions on legal affairs and international relations, economic cooperation, social, cultural and humanitarian relations, and environment, natural resources and health protection.[1]

The Speakers of the Parliaments of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Türkiye, the Secretary General of TURKPA, the Speaker of the Parliament of Hungary and the President of the Senate of Uzbekistan (from the observer countries) as the guests of honor, the Speaker of the Parliament of Turkmenistan and officials of various international organizations attended the Eleventh Plenary Session of TURKPA, which was held in Cholpon-Ata, Kyrgyzstan this year.[2]

During the Eleventh Plenary Session of TURKPA titled “Parliamentary Diplomacy – the Basis of Trust and Partnership”, the reports of the permanent specialized commissions were discussed and their recommendations were evaluated. At the meeting, the final reports of the TURKPA observation delegations on the results of the presidential elections held in the Republic of Uzbekistan in October 2021 and the parliamentary elections held in Kyrgyzstan in November 2021 were presented.[3]

The Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye, Mustafa Şentop, expressed Türkiye’s desire for the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus to take part in TURKPA as an observer or with a special status.[4] Additionally, the decision of Uzbekistan to become a member of TURKPA was welcomed.

At the meeting, it was announced that the name of the "Parliamentary Assembly of Turkic Speaking Countries" was changed to "Parliamentary Assembly of the Turkic States", the new flag of the organization was chosen and the following decisions were taken: The model draft law on the development of social entrepreneurship was approved and the TURKPA budget for 2023 was discussed,[5] the 2023-2028 strategic roadmap was approved, the chairmen and vice-chairmen of the commissions were elected, and the Cholpon-Ata Declaration of the 11th General Assembly of TURKPA was signed.

As the activities carried out within the framework of TURKPA encourage cooperation between the parliaments of the member states and the harmonization of the national legislation of these states with international standards, these activities also contribute to the strengthening of the cooperation between the Turkic states. The next General Assembly meeting of TURKPA will be held on 27-29 April 2023 in Istanbul.