The workshop themed “Local Governments and Cross-Border Cooperation,” organized in cooperation with the Union of Turkish World Municipalities (TDBB) and the Legal Affairs and International Relations Commission of the Parliamentary Assembly of Turkic States (TÜRKPA), was held at the TDBB headquarters in Istanbul on 4 December 2025.
The workshop was attended by: Senator of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan Sayyara Abdilkerimova; Member of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan Mukaddes Urazaliyeva; President of the Union of Cyprus Turkish Municipalities (KTBB) and Mayor of Güzelyurt Mahmut Özçınar; President of the Association of Azerbaijani City Municipalities Temraz Taghiyev; Secretary General of the Union of Turkish World Municipalities (TDBB) Fahri Solak; Senior Advisor of the National Assembly of Azerbaijan Ulker Halafova; Legislative Expert of the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye and TBMM TÜRKPA Secretariat Representative Ercan Durdular; Vice Chair of the Local Governments Department, Faculty of Political Science, Marmara University, Prof. Dr. Burak Hamza Eryiğit; Senior Specialist of the National Assembly of Azerbaijan Nigar Salimli; Specialist of the Jogorku Kenesh of the Kyrgyz Republic Kulpunay Ablakimova; Specialist of the Jogorku Kenesh of the Kyrgyz Republic Aybermet Kutuva; Secretary of TÜRKPA Legal Affairs and International Relations Commission Kadir Yaman; and TÜRKPA Legal Affairs Officer Azer Memedov.
Purpose and Scope of the Workshop
The workshop aimed to: Strengthen the role of local governments in cross-border cooperation among Turkic states; Evaluate legal, administrative, and financial obstacles; Develop joint solutions and policy recommendations; Share good practices; Promote local initiatives. Within this scope, strengthening regional integration among participating countries starting from the local level formed the main focus.
The outcomes of the workshop are expected to form an important part of TÜRKPA’s 2026 activity plan and serve as a reference for new cooperation models among the member states.
During the opening remarks, the importance of strengthening inter-parliamentary dialogue, increasing harmonization in legislative processes, and deepening political, economic, and cultural ties among Turkic states was emphasized. It was also stated that in a globalizing world, local governments have become active actors of regional development, cross-border initiatives, and international solidarity, and that cooperation established at the local level would support both regional integration and sustainable development.
At the end of the workshop, common views were expressed regarding the establishment of a stronger communication network among local governments of Turkic states, the increase of cross-border projects, the development of joint financing models, and the more effective use of local diplomacy tools.
The meeting concluded with mutual thanks from the participants, expressions of hope for future cooperation, and the taking of a group photo.
