Unity focus of Turkic summit

Delegates from Turkic countries gathered yesterday in Istanbul at the World Turkic Forum to highlight their common ties while promoting steps toward the creation of a more overarching Turkic identity. "In a globalized world, we want to spread our message to the world as Turkic citizens," said Nazim Ibrahimov, Azerbaijan's diaspora minister. For his part, Kosovo's Environment Minister Mahir Yagcilar said, "The main aim of the forum is to improve our values, expand our national values, and make them international. The Turkish Republic is the mainland." Echoing Ibrahimov's call, Ahat Andican, a former state minister and professor at Istanbul University, said, "In the 21st century, we will be the part [of the world] that is shaping the world. We should. We must."