Turkish Forum

Category: Kazakhstan

  • Profound Disappointment in Kazakhstan’s Decision to Open an Embassy in Southern Cyprus

    Profound Disappointment in Kazakhstan’s Decision to Open an Embassy in Southern Cyprus

    His Excellency Yerzhan Ashikbayev
    Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the United States
    1401 16th St NW
    Washington, DC 20036

    April 4, 2025 

    RE: Profound Disappointment in Kazakhstan’s Decision to Open an Embassy in Southern Cyprus

    Your Excellency Ashikbayev,

    It is with deep disappointment that I write to you regarding Kazakhstan’s recent decision to establish an embassy in Southern Cyprus while wholly disregarding the existence of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). This decision is not merely a diplomatic misstep but an affront to the historical, legal, and moral imperatives that ought to guide Kazakhstan, a proud Turkic nation with deep civilizational and kinship ties to Türkiye and the broader Turkic world.

    As a Turkish-American who has long worked to strengthen bonds between our nations — including being the first to organize and raise the Kazakh flag at New York’s historic Bowling Green December 2021 on the 30th anniversary of Kazakhstan’s independence with then Consulate General Almat Aidarbekov — I cannot help but express my profound dismay at what appears to be a decision driven by financial and geopolitical expediencies rather than a principled stand for justice and historical truth. The fact that Foreign Minister Murat Nurtleu traveled to the island without even acknowledging the Turkish Cypriots or the TRNC is not just an oversight — it is a betrayal. His failure to extend even the most basic diplomatic courtesy to the Turkish Cypriot side is a slap in the face to the very people who have been systematically isolated and ignored despite their unwavering commitment to peace. Even Ray Charles could have seen if he was alive that there are two states on the island; yet Kazakhstan’s actions suggest willful ignorance rather than mere negligence.

    Let me remind Your Excellency that this year marks the 52nd anniversary of the establishment of the TRNC, an entity that exists due to the necessity of protecting Turkish Cypriots from the relentless aggression they faced. The Athens Court of Appeals itself, in its ruling of March 21, 1979, affirmed the legality of Türkiye’s intervention in Cyprus, acknowledging that it was undertaken in accordance with the London-Zurich Agreements. 

    The true instigators of the crisis were the Greek officers and its Greek Cypriot collaborators who orchestrated the 1974 coup — yet today, Kazakhstan chooses to align itself with those who have perpetuated injustice rather than those who have suffered from it.

    History speaks volumes about the intransigence of the Greek Cypriots when it comes to peace. Former Cypriot Foreign Minister Nicos Rolandis has documented no fewer than sixteen peace initiatives between 1948 and 2017 that the Greek Cypriots outright rejected. Most notably, the Annan Plan of 2004, which Turkish Cypriots overwhelmingly supported at a rate of 65%, was rejected by an astounding 76% of Greek Cypriots. Despite this blatant refusal to resolve the issue, it was the Greek Cypriots who were granted entry into the European Union, while Turkish Cypriots were left in diplomatic limbo. This pattern of rejection and obstructionism should have given Kazakhstan pause before choosing to align itself with one side while disregarding the other entirely.  As a leader in the Turkish-American community and as someone who has worked tirelessly to promote Kazakhstan’s visibility and partnerships, I must convey the deep sense of hurt and betrayal that Kazakhstan’s decision has engendered among the 500,000-strong Turkish-American community. It pains us to see a fellow Turkic country disregard historical truth, kinship, and justice. If economic incentives and political pragmatism are to be the sole determinants of Kazakhstan’s foreign policy, then what message does this send about the values upon which the Turkic world stands?

    Your Excellency, the strength of the Turkic world has always rested in its unity, resilience, and shared historical consciousness. The decision to sidestep TRNC in favor of a one-sided engagement with Southern Cyprus is not merely an insult to Turkish Cypriots; it is an affront to all those who believe in fairness, justice, and the preservation of historical truth.

    I urge Kazakhstan to reconsider the implications of its actions and to take meaningful steps to engage with the Turkish Cypriot side. Diplomatic recognition and engagement must be guided by principles of equity and historical justice.

    Respectfully,

    Ibrahim Kurtulus 

    Community Activist

  • Why does Ukraine dissipate its strategic equipment amidst the war?

    Why does Ukraine dissipate its strategic equipment amidst the war?

    Recently, a number of official sources have published the information confirming that the National Security Committee of the Republic of Kazakhstan has purchased a multi-channel VARAN complex from Seven Hills LLP. The VARAN system is mainly known for wiretapping phones, intercepting and jamming any radio signals. Nothing could seem extraordinary at first glance, given the deal value at modest 340K tenge (800 USD).

    However, regardless the most possible scenario that the supply is going to be on a regular basis, it is not the prices that draws attention to the deal, but the sides involved in it. The manufacturer and chief executor of the contract is the Ukrainian company Ualeks (www.ualeks.com) that produces similar equipment for the Security Service and the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine.

    One may wonder why such important and needed equipment in the war-torn country is being sold abroad, and why do the Ukrainian authorities allow it? Needless to say, that Ukraine has been fighting desperately with almost no resources of its own. The aid from the Western countries that was generous at first months of the special military operation is now very limited, as the United States may no longer support Kyiv due to many other strategic operations it is pursuing in the Middle East.

    Ukraine is better to tight up the belts and concentrate on its national tasks rather than search for blur profit and support by former CIS countries in return of technologies. At the moment, Ukraine needs them more. Unless the country’s government is only interested in getting quick money and short-term profit.

  • U.S. Religious Freedom report… compiled by Armenia…

    U.S. Religious Freedom report… compiled by Armenia…

    By Azer HASRET

    “The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is an independent, bipartisan federal government entity established by the U.S. Congress to monitor, analyze, and report on religious freedom abroad.”

    This is stated by the mentioned Commission on its “Annual Report of The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom”. This means that the Commission is independent of any outside influence.

    Is it?

    We’ll see…

    Recently The Commission has announced its 2023 report where Azerbaijan among other several Turkic and Muslim countries is accused of “suppressing the religious freedoms”. All Turkic countries – Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Türkiye and Turkmenistan – except Kyrgyzstan are those which is seen by this very Commission as “a perpetrator of religious freedoms”.

    According to this report’s Azerbaijan chapter (just 2 pages) this country is in a very disturbing position and must be included “on the State Department’s Special Watch List” for violating religious freedoms…

    Now let’s see some citations from the Report:

    1. “This report provides an update on religious freedom conditions in Azerbaijan in 2023. It describes the legislative framework that facilitates the official regulation of religious practice, concerns for religious sites in Nagorno-Karabakh, the ongoing repression of Shi’a Muslim religious activists, and the impact of the government’s refusal to allow conscientious objection.”

    “Concerns for religious sites in Nagorno-Karabakh”. One must think that the Report is overseeing the destruction of more than 60 Mosques in Karabakh during its occupation by Armenia. Yes, even all Mosques in Karabakh and other occupied lands of Azerbaijan were wiped off by Armenia. But no single word about this in the Report!

    Plus, we must add that there is no territorial entity within Azerbaijan called “Nagorno-Karabakh”. Seems the compliers of the Report are using occupant Armenia’s terminology while talking about Azerbaijan…

    While talking about “the ongoing repression of Shi’a Muslim religious activists” The Commission forgets about the realities of our region. Those so-called “repressed Shi’a Muslims”, who are defended by the US Government are mostly the followers of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani. This General was eliminated on Jan 3, 2020, by the US drones in Baghdad, Iraq as a terrorist. And those so-called Shi’a Muslims “repressed by Azerbaijan” are mostly the supporters and followers of this very terrorist! So, the U.S. must decide and rethink if this very country has killed Qasem Soleimani by mistake…

    2. “The law also prohibits non-Azerbaijani citizens from engaging in “religious propaganda” or missionary activity without explicit state permission.”

    What is strange here? Why Azerbaijan must be accused of preventing its citizens from the religious propaganda? People, even foreigners are free to practice their religion. But religious propaganda by foreigners is and must be prevented!

    3. “In May 2023, the chairman of the SCWRA Mubariz Gurbanli explicitly called for Armenian priests to abandon the Dadivank Monastery in the Kalbajar region as he falsely claimed that they had no connection to the site. While a United Nations mission to Nagorno-Karabakh completed in October 2023 reported that it “saw no damage…to cultural or religious structures”, human rights organizations continued to urge the government to ensure protections for religious and cultural sites and rights.”

    I would say that No Comment! But The Commission needs a bit explanation and enlightenment. The Monastery which they claim to be called as “Dadivank” is Khudaveng Monastery and has nothing to do with Armenians. It was built by Albanian Christians and is under state protection of Azerbaijan. But as other religious sites it was occupied by Armenia and then renovated a bit to prove that it is “an ancient Armenian Monastery”. Even the UN mission also stated that no damage “to cultural and religious structures”.

    4. “The government has particularly targeted the unregistered Muslim Unity Movement (Müsəlman Birliyi Hərəkatı) or MUM, a group that has criticized the government’s repressive policies toward religion and whose persecution many human rights defenders believe to be politically motivated.”

    This so-called Muslim Movement is that very organization which supports Qasem Soleimani and Iran’s clerical regime. These people hate the U.S. and other major Western democracies and want to overthrow the government in Azerbaijan… in order to establish a new one which would support such terrorist organizations like HAMAS, Hezbollah…

    5. “The United States should pressure Azerbaijan to address its severe violations of religious freedom and place the country on the State Department’s Special Watch List until the Azerbaijani government amends its 2009 law “On Freedom of Religious Beliefs” in line with international human rights standards and ceases other policies and practices that routinely infringe upon its citizens’ freedom of religion or belief.”

    I’d ask, are you serious? Do you really think that Azerbaijan must be included in this List just only for preventing the country and its people from the so-called religious interference of the terror-sponsor state – Iran? What is the connection between Iran and The U.S. Commission which compiles such reports?

    Maybe there is someone in The Commission who has the ties with Iran or its close allies?

    Yes, there is someone called Danielle Saroyan Ashbahian, who is a Chief of Public Affairs at The Commission. If review her social media accounts, one easily can see that she is an active member of Armenian propaganda against Turks – Azerbaijan and Türkiye! But she must be neutral person, isn’t it?

    This very Danielle worked for the Armenian Assembly of America before joining The Commission dealing with the religious issues throughout the world…

    “Danielle Saroyan Ashbahian is the Chief of Public Affairs at the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, overseeing the Communications and Congressional Relations. Before joining USCIRF, she was the Director of Communications at the Armenian Assembly of America. Prior to that, she was the Layout Editor at the Public Diplomacy Magazine and worked at the Los Angeles Consular Corps. She has had previous experience at the office of former U.S. Congresswoman Janice Hahn, the United Nations Department of Public Information in Armenia, the Lebanese Consulate in Los Angeles, and the San Francisco Ethics Commission” reads The Commission’s web site…

    One more important point: The Commission is trying to support its claims against Azerbaijan siting so-called “Caucasus Heritage Watch”, a pro-Armenian entity launched in 2020 by Armenians, supported by Armenian organizations…

    Just again, No Comment!

    BTW, there is no report on Armenia at all! We’ll remind The Commission that for example the Jewish Synagogue was set to fire in Yerevan in 2023. Or all Muslims are religiously cleansed from Armenia! And Armenia is one of the very few countries of the world denying multiculturalism and having even 98 percent of population of Armenian ethnic background…

  • Armless artist Karipbek Kuyukov ‘denied entry’ to UK

    Armless artist Karipbek Kuyukov ‘denied entry’ to UK

     

     

    İstanbul’daki İngiliz Konsolosluğu kolları olmayan Kazak sanatçı’ya parmak izi bırakmadığı için vize vermedi!

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    Karipbek Kuyukov says he is disappointed he could not enter the UK

    A Kazakh artist who was born without arms says he could not get permission to enter the UK last month because he could not give fingerprints.

    Karipbek Kuyukov planned to attend an anti-nuclear conference in Edinburgh.

    But he got a letter from the British Consulate in Istanbul saying his “biometrics were of poor quality” and asking him to resubmit his application.

    The UK Home Office said his visa was not refused and it may have been the result of a “miscommunication”.

    Mr Kuyukov, 44, who was forced to cancel his attendance at the conference, spoke of his disappointment.

    ‘Did not understand’

    “Maybe they did not understand that I am disabled or check the information provided,” said the artist.

    “But in my online visa application it was written that I am an artist and that I don’t have hands. I paint by holding a brush in my mouth and between my toes.”

    Mr Kuyukov was born in the region of Semipalatinsk, the former Soviet Union’s main nuclear testing ground.

    Many thousands of children were born with disabilities during the nuclear test programme.

    Mr Kuyukov has used his painting to campaign for nuclear disarmament for the past 20 years.

  • Turkey becomes partner of China, Russia-led security bloc

    Turkey becomes partner of China, Russia-led security bloc

    Turkey's PM Tayyip Erdogan makes a speech during the Global Alcohol Policy Symposium in Istanbul

    Turkey’s PM Tayyip Erdogan makes a speech during the Global Alcohol Policy Symposium in Istanbul (MURAD SEZER, REUTERS / April 26, 2013)

    ALMATY (Reuters) – NATO member Turkey signed up on Friday to became a “dialogue partner” of a security bloc dominated by China and Russia, and declared that its destiny is in Asia.

    “This is really a historic day for us,” Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said in Kazakhstan’s commercial capital Almaty after signing a memorandum of understanding with Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Secretary General Dmitry Mezentsev.

    “Now, with this choice, Turkey is declaring that our destiny is the same as the destiny of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) countries.”

    China, Russia and four Central Asian nations – Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan – formed the SCO in 2001 as a regional security bloc to fight threats posed by radical Islam and drug trafficking from neighboring Afghanistan.

  • Istanbul process’ countries ready to help Afghanistan

    Istanbul process’ countries ready to help Afghanistan

    Kazakhstan, Astana, 26 April / Trend, D. Mukhtarov /

    Almaty_1

    The 3rd Ministerial Conference of the ‘Istanbul Process held in Almaty on Friday ended with a declaration in which the parties confirmed their willingness to give full support to Afghanistan in order to involve it in the economic and political life of the region, the Press Service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan reported.

    “The participants of the Conference noted the importance of these measures in the context of the withdrawal of the International Security Assistance Forces from Afghanistan. Specific action plans on six confidence measures packages of Istanbul Process were approved,” the report says.

    The forum was attended by more than 50 delegations, headed by the foreign ministers of participating countries, supporting countries and heads of international organizations. The parties fully supported plans for regional cooperation in Afghanistan, confirmed their willingness to purposefully expand and deepen regional cooperation based on the principles of friendship, respect and mutual benefit.

    Several associated events in the context of regional cooperation in Afghanistan took place within the scope of the conference: A Presentation of the Capacities of Almaty as a Regional Hub of Multilateral Diplomacy Held by the Akim of the City Ahmetzhan Yesimov; a workshop of experts of the involved authorities of the participants of the Istanbul process with the presentation of capabilities of Kazakhstan as a transit corridor; an exhibition of goods and products of Kazakhstan for export to Afghanistan.

    According to the Declaration adopted on the results of the forum, the next Conference of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Istanbul Process on Afghanistan is scheduled to be held in the People’s Republic of China in 2014.