By Leman Mammadova

The third meeting of the Ministers of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) of the Cooperation Council of Turkic Speaking States was held in Almaty, Kazakhstan, on January 31.

The meeting discussed issues of expanding cooperation on cybersecurity, e-government, satellite services and the Trans-Eurasian Information Super Highway (TASIM) project, as well as other priority areas in the field of ICT.

The event was attended by representatives of Kazakhstan, Turkey, Kyrgyzstan, Hungary and other countries, including Secretary General Baghdad Amreyev, Kazakh Minister of Information and Communications Dauren Abayev, Turkish Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Mehmet Cahit Turhan, Chairman of the Kyrgyz Committee of Information Technology and Communications Bakit Sharshembiyev, Azerbaijani Deputy Minister of Transport, Communications and High Technologies Elmir Velizade and Deputy State Secretary of Info-communications, Innovation and Technology of Hungary Dr. Károly Balázs Solmar.

The Azerbaijani delegation was led by Deputy Minister of Transport, Communications and High Technologies Elmir Velizade.

Speaking at the meeting, Velizade told about the state policy implemented in Azerbaijan in the field of ICT, large-scale work done and the progress achieved. He noted that Azerbaijan is an active member of the information society. Saying that today special attention is paid to ensuring cyber security, the deputy minister noted that Azerbaijan has developed a National Strategy on Cyber ​​Security.

Furthermore, recalling the annual regional training sessions on cyber security in Baku, Velizade expressed the view that specialists of member countries of the Cooperation Council of Turkic-speaking States should participate in these trainings.

He also added that over 80 percent of Azerbaijan’s population are Internet users, and the number of users of a broadband wireless network is 73 percent. He also stressed that the number of mobile subscribers in Azerbaijan is 106 for every 100 people.

Secretary General Baghdad Amreyev emphasized the importance and the role that ICT plays in the socio-economic development of the Member countries. He also named the core issues (mentioned above) to be on the center of discussions on cyber security.

Dauren Abayev called on member states to strengthen integration in information and communication sector, emphasizing the creation of TASIM, by the initiative of Azerbaijan.

It should be noted that TASIM (Trans-Eurasian Information Super Highway) project was initiated by the Azerbaijani Ministry of Communications and High Technologies at the meeting within the 14th "Bakutel" exhibition-conference in Baku in November 2008 by the adoption of Baku Declaration.

The aim of the project is to establish a transnational fiber optic line from Frankfurt to Hong Kong, from Western Europe to East Asia. This project will eliminate "digital distinction" and open new economic opportunities for landlocked Eurasian countries.

First time participating in Turkic Council Ministerial on ICT Dr. Károly Balázs Solmar, Deputy State Secretary of Info-communications, Innovation and Technology of Hungary emphasized the readiness of his country for close cooperation with Turkic Council Member States in ICT sector. He invited the member states to take part at the ITU Telecom World 2019 event to be held on September 9-12, 2019, in Budapest.

Representatives of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkey made presentations on achievements and perspectives of their countries in the field of ICT.

Then, the sides discussed issues of mutual interest and exchanged views on the prospects for cooperation.

Following the meeting, a protocol was drawn up and it is agreed that the next meeting of the Ministers in charge of ICT of the Turkic Council will be held Kyrgyzstan in 2020.

The Cooperation Council of Turkic Speaking States (CCTS) was established in 2009 in Nakhchivan as an international intergovernmental organization, with the overarching aim of promoting comprehensive cooperation among Turkic Speaking States. Its four founding member states are Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Turkey.

The main purposes and tasks of the Organization are: strengthening mutual confidence and friendship among the Parties, developing common positions on foreign policy issues; coordinating actions to combat international terrorism, separatism, extremism and cross-border crimes; promoting effective regional and bilateral cooperation in all areas of common interest; creating favorable conditions for trade and investment and others.

The member countries of the CCTS invested over $12 billion in the economy of Azerbaijan, while Azerbaijan invested over $14 billion in the CCTS member states.

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Leman Mammadova is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @leman_888

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