In another 4 days, on November 11, Samarkand will host the next major event - the first Turkic Summit. Now officials of the organization and a number of representatives of the member states have arrived in Uzbekistan and are attending various events and meetings organized before the summit. In particular, the General Secretary of the organization, Baghdad Amreev, is currently in Tashkent and he gave an interview to the Kun.uz.

—Before it became the Organization of Turkic States, the previous union had been mainly focusing on the cultural ties between the countries. But evidently, it is difficult to achieve development of the countries only thorugh culture and history.

In this sense, since last year, the Turkic Council has become a bigger organization. So, in what directions exactly does its activity differ from the previous one and can it change?

— The Turkic Cooperation Council was established in 2009 to ensure close cooperation between members on political, economic, cultural, sports and youth issues. In 2021, it was renamed to become the Organization of Turkic States. It gained a new momentum with this change, because the organization is a broader structure than a council. In addition, the areas of cooperation that I mentioned above have expanded a lot. We have accepted new members. For example, 12 years ago we had four members. Today we have seven members with observers. God willing, soon we will expand with the eighth country.

— Over the past years, this structure has been more involved in creating institutional mechanisms that are the basis for deepening cooperation.

When and under what conditions can the organization become a real driving force for integration?

- The first goal of the Organization of Turkic States is the integration of the Turkic world. We started the activities on this path 13 years ago, and a year ago we took a new step on this path. I think that the organization is expanding its scope every year.

In our opinion, the most important thing within the organization today is to strengthen economic integration. Work on this road is ongoing.

- Sir, many people in the Central Asia look at this organization with the dream of an organization that serves the idea of ​​the Turkic world and the strengthening of its unity. 

What is the potential for collective thinking and collective action of the Organization of Turkic States? For example, let's assume that some kind of conflict started between Russia and Kazakhstan. So how should and how will the organization react to such a situation? 

- The ties between the members of the Organization of Turkic States are historically based on brotherhood and friendship. We are all one people. Our destiny is common. I think, no matter what the issue is, the Turkic countries will always be by each other's side. For example, Turkey greatly helped in the liberation of Karabakh by Azerbaijan.

Allah willing, there will be no more conflicts between Turkic countries and other countries. If that happens, our fellow Turkic countries will be next to each other. There is no doubt about it.

I gave an example of this above. When Azerbaijan was at war, the Turkic countries were by its side. I repeat, whatever conflict a Turkic country faces with another, our countries will stand by their fellows.