Тurkic Weekly 2017 22 (74) (19 - 25 June ) Тurkic Weekly presents the weekly review of the most significant developments in the Turkic world. Тurkic Weekly provides timely information and an objective assessment on relevant issues in the agenda of Turkic countries. Тurkic Weekly is a weekly information and analytical digest, published by the International Turkic Academy. THE FIFTH WORLD KURULTAI OF KAZAKHS TOOK PLACE IN ASTANA Last week Kazakhstan hosted the 5th World Kurultai of Kazakhs with the participation of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev. The event was held from 22nd to 25th June. On June 22, a grand opening was held. More than 800 delegates took part in the event, 350 of which represent 39 countries. Among them are representatives of sports, state and public organizations. Almost 80% of delegates participate in Kurultai for the first time. As is known, the program of Kurultai is based on the conceptual ideas of the President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev, outlined in the program article "The Course towards Future: Modernization of Public Consciousness". Speaking to the audience, N.A. Nazarbayev greeted all participants of the World Kurultai who arrived in Astana from 39 countries of the near and far abroad. Nursultan Nazarbayev emphasized the success and reforms implemented in Kazakhstan for 25 years since the first Kurultai. The President of Kazakhstan also separately focused on six projects implemented in the framework of modernization of public consciousness, including transition of the Kazakh alphabet into Latin script, translation of 100 best textbooks of the humanitarian direction, the "Motherland", "Sacred Geography of Kazakhstan", "Modern Kazakhstan culture in the global World","100 new persons of Kazakhstan" projects. The Head of State instructed to create the Otandastar fund, noting the importance of supporting compatriots from the Kazakh society, "The Fund together with the World Association of Kazakhs need to identify activities to support compatriots and develop an appropriate comprehensive program," Nursultan Nazarbayev said. In addition, the Head of State instructed to strengthen the work of the embassies on preparation of documents and consultation of immigrants of Kazakhstan. "At the same time, it is necessary to provide support to youth. I instruct the Government to increase the quota for education in higher educational institutions for our compatriots from abroad by 2 times. The government should work out the issue of organizing the training of our compatriots abroad in their native language," said the President of Kazakhstan. The President also instructed to work out the issue of broadcasting state-owned TV channels and distributing printed publications in neighboring countries, to create a 1 mechanism for attracting and adapting talented and qualified specialists among compatriots, to take measures to create favorable living conditions and provide work for people who participated in the program of resettlement from southern regions to northern regions of the country. "It will be right that foreign Kazakhs come to the country more often and strengthen their ties with their native land. Wherever you are, always keep Kazakhstan in your heart. We all have one historical Motherland - Kazakhstan," concluded Nursultan Nazarbayev. Observers note that the World Kurultai of Kazakhs is a landmark event in the socio- political life of country. It will demonstrate the continuity of all five Kurultais during 1992- 2017, achievements of the Republic of Kazakhstan during the period of independence, including the policy of ethnic repatriation. As the organizers say, this time 80% of delegates and guests of Kurultai are participating in the event for the first time. So, delegates and honorary guests of Kurultai from eight countries Japan, Republic of Korea, Italy, Ireland, Montenegro, Poland, Azerbaijan, and Moldova participate for the first time. At Kurultai, more than 60% of delegates and guests are young people under the age of 35. Kurultai with the history since 1992 has become a unique platform for meeting and dialogue of ethnic Kazakhs living in different parts of the globe. The Kurultai will allow to newly look at and to enrich the national history, culture and traditions of Kazakh people. 2 RESULTS OF A.ATAMBAYEV’S STATE VISIT TO RUSSIA Last week, one of the most intense state visits of Kyrgyz President Almazbek Atambayev to Russia took place. So, during the trip to Russia A. Atambayev met with top leadership in Moscow, and also paid separate visits to Bashkortostan and Tatarstan. Presidents of Russia and KyrgyzstanVladimir Putin and Almazbek Atambayev held talks in the Kremlin. Heads of State agreed to expand cooperation in the sphere of security, Russia cancelled Kyrgyzstan’s debts. Following the talks, Russia and Kyrgyzstan signed agreements in the sectors of health, migration, statistics and finance, and most importantly - a declaration on strengthening the alliance and strategic partnership. This is a very important document that should ensure the development of the entire range of bilateral relations. Presidents discussed primarily economic issues. As Vladimir Putin noted, both countries managed to overcome the recession in mutual trade, the volume of trade in the first quarter of 2017 increased by 23 percent, Russian exports grew by 24 percent, and imports from Kyrgyzstan by 15 percent. The sides also discussed security issues. Thus, V. Putin stressed that the presence of Russian military base in Kyrgyzstan provides security in the Central Asian region. In this issue, the views of heads of state coincide. Moreover, Russia and Kyrgyzstan agreed to strengthen cooperation in the field of anti-terror within the framework of the Collective Security Treaty Organization and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. "Today we also confirmed the common understanding that the presence of the Russian military base in Kyrgyzstan is an important factor in ensuring stability and security in the Central Asian region, this meets the long-term interests of our states and all our CSTO allies," the Russian president said after the meeting. On June 22, Almazbek Atambayev visited the city of Ufa of the Republic of Bashkortostan during a state visit to Russia. Head of the Republic of Bashkortostan Rustem Khamitov welcomed President Almazbek Atambayev at the airport. During the meeting, Head of Bashkortostan Rustem Khamitov thanked Almazbek Atambaev for visiting Ufa and a warm attitude towards the republic. He noted that the friendship between Kyrgyzstan and Bashkortostan is proceeding along the whole direction. 3 President Almazbek Atambayev expressed his gratitude to Rustem Khamitov for warm welcome of the Kyrgyz delegation in Ufa, noting the cultural and historical close ties of peoples of Kyrgyzstan and Bashkortostan. During the meeting the head of the Republic of Bashkortostan noted that Kyrgyz and Bashkir peoples are linked by common national roots, rich history of the Turkic world, and a single spiritual culture. "This gives the Bashkir-Kyrgyz relations an especially friendly, I would even say, kindred character. And we value it very much. The development of cooperation with Kyrgyzstan is one of the most important directions in the foreign economic sphere for our republic. Today we are steadily strengthening our ties in trade, science, education, and culture," Rustem Khamitov said. In turn, Almazbek Atambayev noted that Kyrgyz and Bashkirs are related peoples coming from the Altai civilization. "Such trips strengthen our friendship. We are connected by a thousand-year history. We have a common economic and cultural space," the President said, adding that such joint important events have a very big political effect. We need to do everything in order to preserve ties and kinship. At the end of talks, President Almazbek Atambayev and Head of Bashkortostan Rustem Khamitov gave a joint press conference and answered questions of media representatives. Then Almazbek Atambayev visited Kazan, where he met with the head of the Republic of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov. During the talks, the sides discussed important topics related to further cooperation between Kyrgyzstan and Tatarstan. Atambayev and Minnikhanov spoke about promising areas of cooperation in the field of engineering, aircraft construction, the chemical industry and the fuel and energy sector. The head of Tatarstan added that the republic is ready for new levels of cooperation with Kyrgyzstan. Minnikhanov noted that he was still impressed by the past Nomadic Games. According to him, it was an unforgettable sight. "We strive to develop our historical ties between Tatarstan and Kyrgyzstan, Kazan and Bishkek are sister cities, according to our information, there are more than 50,000 Tatars living in Kyrgyzstan, and representatives of Kyrgyzstan are quite seriously represented in our republic," Rustam Minnikhanov said. 4 KAZAKHSTAN-TURKMENISTAN-IRAN ROUTE GIVES EFFECT The Kazakhstan-Turkmenistan-Iran railway route opened at the end of 2015 gradually continues to give effect. During the reporting period, Turkmenistan's transport services noted a significant increase in the volume of transported goods along this route. As noted by the Turkmen news agencies, Turkmenistan is becoming an international logistics center, facilitated by the implementation of projects on the fundamental modernization and development of transport infrastructure. "Taking into account the growth of cargo flows passing through our country, there are work