On 17 February 2015, a delegation from the Cooperation Council of Turkic Speaking States (Turkic Council), led by Secretary General Ramil Hasanov, visited WCO Headquarters to discuss future cooperation between the two Organizations. The Turkic Council consists of four Member States - Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Turkey - which are also WCO Members.

Secretary General Hasanov explained the involvement of the Turkic Council in initiatives, such as the Caravanserai Project, aimed inter alia at removing technical barriers to trade. He also emphasized the key role that Customs and transport have in contributing to economic growth for the Turkic Council Members.

WCO Secretary General Kunio Mikuriya welcomed the initiatives taken by the Turkic Council and stressed the importance of using global standards in areas such as AEO and partnership with business, as well as in respect of coordinated border management and trade facilitation. He affirmed the WCO’s readiness to assist in these areas, in particular through the provision of best practices.

As a tangible sign of the desire for increased synergy between the WCO and the Turkic Council, the two Secretaries General signed a Memorandum of Understanding to serve as the basis and impetus for enhanced cooperation.