Turkish president meets his counterparts in Azerbaijan

Turkish President Abdullah Gul met with his counterparts in the Azerbaijani city of Gabala as he attended the third summit meeting of the Cooperation Council of Turkic Speaking States. Gul held talks with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev at the president’s residence ahead of the council meeting. Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu and his Azeri counterpart Elmar Mammadyarov were also present in the meeting. Gul also had a bilateral meeting with his Kyrgyz counterpart Almazbek Atambayev at Qafqaz Riverside Hotel in Gabala. Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu and Minister of Transport, Maritime Affairs, and Communications Binali Yildirim also attended this meeting. Stating that they enjoyed excellent hospitality at the Turkic Council summit held in the Kyrgyz capital of Bishkek last year, Gul said, "We make important decisions in regard to realizing mutual projects, strengthening cultural cooperation and establishing solidarity among Turkic republics on such occasions." Atambayev stated the foundations of a great Turkish society was laid and added, "Our roots and history are same and hopefully our future is, too. Our aim is to further strengthen Turkic republics, establish unity and protect our language and spirit." Following his meeting with Atambayev, Gul joined his counterparts at a dinner hosted by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev.