I would like to express my gratitude for the declaration of Turkestan, the city of Kazakhstan the 2017 Cultural Capital of the Turkic World, which is one of the historical centers during the 34th Meeting of the Permanent Council of Culture Ministers of TURKSOY heldon 1-2 December 2016 in Azerbaijan’s Sheki city.
Until now, the cities namely; Astana (Kazakhstan), Eskişehir (Turkey), Kazan (Tatarstan), Merv (Turkmenistan) and Sheki (Azerbaijan) have been selected as cultural capitals of the Turkic World.
On behalf of the Turkic Council Secretariat and on my own behalf, I would like to congratulate the Turkestan city, which stands out with its unique cultural and historical texture as an example of peace and international friendship and wish them all best and success in the activities to be organized in this framework in 2017.
Ambassador Ramil Hasanov
Turkic Council Secretary General