Turkic Council Secretary General Ambassador Ramil Hasanov attended the 62nd Annual Session of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly.

Turkic Council Secretary General Ambassador Ramil Hasanov attended the 62nd Annual Session of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly.

Turkic Council Secretary General Ambassador Ramil Hasanov attended the 62nd Annual Session of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly (NATO PA) upon the invitation of Secretary General of NATO Parliamentary Assembly David Hobbs. The event, held with the participation of President of the Republic of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, was hosted by the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM) on 21 November 2016 in Istanbul.

The 62nd Annual Session started with a moment of silence in memory of Jose Lello, who served as President of NATO Parliamentary Assembly between 2007-2008 and who lost his life in October. After his speech, the incumbent President of NATO Parliamentary Assembly Michael R. Turner invited President of the Republic of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to the podium.

In his speech, President Erdogan, noting the importance of NATO PA as an institutionalized example of parliamentary diplomacy, emphasized the importance of acting together in the face of the global issues that affect the whole world.

Following a short break after the speech of President Erdogan, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg was invited to the dais. During his address, he touched upon NATO’s stance and duties towards the global threats noting the role of NATO PA as an important decision-making body. After the address of the NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg, the session proceeded to the round of questions and answers.

The meetings of the “Economics and Security Committee”, “Political Committee”, “Defense and Security Committee” and the “Civil Dimension of Security Committee” were convened on 19-20 November 2016 prior to the 62nd Annual Session.

Secretary General Hasanov had an opportunity to conduct a number of bilateral meetings in the framework of the Annual Session.

Turkic Council Project Directors Yedil Myrzakhanov and Chief of Protocol Emre Yurdakul accompanied the Secretary General Hasanov at the meeting.