His Excellency Azamat BERDIBAY
Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan

Excellencies,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am privileged to join you here in this briefing, within the framework of Kazakhstan’s Chairmanship of the CICA (Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia).

In 2019, Turkey introduced a new strategic vision into our Asia policies through “Asia Anew” Initiative. The Initiative intends to streamline Turkey’s relations with Asian countries from a comprehensive and holistic perspective. This is a long-term endeavor.

With this Initiative, we want to explore new opportunities presented by traditional and innovative areas of cooperation, taking into account the diversity and particular needs of the regions, sub-regions and countries in the continent.

At initial stages, we mainly focus on developing trade and economic cooperation with our partners. We also explore the opportunities in other areas such as connectivity, logistics, transport, defense industry, energy, digital technologies, finance, green development and cultural and people-to-people exchanges.

We aim at energizing the big potential and create mutually beneficial cooperation with tangible results based on common interests and goals.

We are ready to work with each and every partner in Asia to enhance connectivity and economic cooperation and to contribute to peace, stability and sustainable development across the region.

Dear friends,

Developments in Asia concerns all countries in the region.

Many global actors have shifted their interests to the region. This also led to the formation of new alliances in the region in economic and security fields.

In principle, we support effective multilateralism, regional and international solidarity and peaceful resolution of disputes in the Asia-Pacific.

We emphasize the importance of respecting the delicate balances and avoiding tensions in the region.

The challenges in the Asia-Pacific require dialogue and cooperation, rather than fragmentation.

It’s important that the regional initiatives in Asia are open, transparent and inclusive.

It is highly crucial that these initiatives do not create new fault lines nor increase tension in the region.

On the economic sphere, Comprehensive and Progressive for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and Regional Comprehensive Economic partnership (RCEP) are good examples of international and interregional cooperation in the economic sphere.

We are following the developments regarding these two breakthrough agreements. They will create impetus for the regional and global trade. But at the same time, they will pose challenges for those countries outside of these agreements.

Distinguished Guests,

Being among the founding member states of the CICA, Turkey is one of the most active members of the organization.

Our “Asia Anew” initiative priorities and cooperation areas are also in line with CICA's goals. There are many fields where we can cooperate with CICA countries.

Therefore, I am very glad to be part of today’s very timely event. I thank Ambassador BERDIBAY for hosting us.

And, thank you all.