The year 2023 is the 100th anniversary of the Republic of Türkiye as well as the 15th anniversary of the Parliamentary Assembly of Turkic States. In this meaningful year, we have taken over the chairmanship of TURKPA as the Speaker of the Veteran Assembly, which embarked on the struggle against the destruction and occupation brought about by the First World War, led the War of Independence itself, wrote an epic of independence and proclaimed the Republic of Türkiye.

Today, as independent Turkic states, we have brought our relations to a high level and continue to develop our relations in every field, both bilaterally and with the international organizations of the Turkic world that we come together around the same table. We will continue to strengthen our unity and solidarity, establish closer cooperation and relations, and get closer with the idea of "unity in language, idea and work" bequeathed to us by Gaspıralı İsmail Bey. Türkiye always maintains its unwavering determination to develop relations with independent Turkic states. Likewise, as the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye, we attach great importance and priority to relations with the Turkic world.

Based on the unity of civilization, culture, history and language, TURKPA was established in 2008 as the Parliamentary Assembly of Turkic-Speaking Countries. TURKPA, which was renamed the Parliamentary Assembly of Turkic States last year, is an important organization that addresses different issues with its intensified work and brings the parliaments of independent Turkic states closer to each other.

On the bases of parliamentary diplomacy TURKPA, which has a special position among the cooperation structures of Turkic states, is the first Turkic international organization of the 21st century and has pioneered other international organizations of the Turkic world. By means of its achievements and progress in 15 years, TURKPA has become an exemplary international parliamentary organization among its peers. Today, TURKPA has proven itself not only as a parliamentary association but also as a successful regional international organization.

We can never consider our relations, which have reached today's level with great efforts and endeavors, sufficient. On this path, which we see as a relay race, we will carry this flag, which we took over from our predecessors, in the best way possible and hand it over to those who come after us. Even if the names and tasks change, our determination and our will to bring the Turkic world closer together and build a common future will not change.

TURKPA continues to work by increasing its effectiveness through permanent commission activities and other activities. In this direction, cooperation between the specialized commissions of our parliaments is being developed, model laws and legislations are being brought closer to each other, and our deputies have the opportunity to get to know the parliaments of fraternal countries closely and share experience and information. These efforts will continue with increasing momentum under the rotating chairmanship of the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye.

Successfully running an international organization is more difficult than establishing it. TURKPA has proved to be successful by developing, strengthening and making progress since its establishment. Like other international organizations of the Turkic world, TURKPA and the support given to it is the most concrete expression of the spirit of brotherhood and the will to build a common future.

In accordance with the saying "strength comes from unity", the independent Turkic states will become stronger as they jointly respond to every challenge they face and will better reflect their strength on the issues they care about.

My feelings and thoughts are a reflection of my belief that we will have a successful term. Respectfully remembering those who have worked for the strengthening of TURKPA in the past years and expressing our gratitude to them, I wish that the chairmanship of the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye will bring good to the Turkic world and brotherly Turkic peoples.

Prof. Dr. Numan Kurtulmuş

Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye

TURKPA Chairperson-in-Office