The Ministry of National Education hosted the 6th meeting of Education Ministers of Turkic Council member states and 4th International Turkic Academy Science Board Meeting.

The Minister of National Education said during his speech at the meeting that the first condition of sustainable development is accession to quality of education and continuous increase in the quality of human capital.

Noting that quality of education is necessary not only for employment, production and economic development but also for social peace, Özer stated, "We must work in an effort to educate our young people in the best way possible, equip them with qualities that will respond the needs of changing demands of the business world and teach them our joint values and culture. We must cooperate and exchange knowledge and experience within this context. Due to this reason, we believe that cooperation in education is as important as the collaboration in other fields."

Minister Özer reminded that council member states experienced positive developments since the 5th Meeting of Education Ministers of Turkic Council Member States which was held in 2019 and in addition to member state states namely Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan and Turkey and observer state Hungary, Uzbekistan has attended the meeting in İstanbul as the new member of the Council.

Noting that Turkic Council Europe Office was opened in Hungary in September of 2019, Özer stated that this office will make an important contribution for the development of the relationship between the Turkic World and the European people and institutions.

"We must teach our joint culture and values to our children"

Özer mentioned about the Joint Turkic History book preparations and added, "Turkic Council which is the work of joint effort, joint vision and joint dreams is also the symbol of a common ideal. What brings us together here today is not only our language, history, geographical location and culture but also our wish and will to build a prosperous future together. Student exchange program, sister school program, teacher and expert exchange program and Orhun Exchange Program for higher education of Turkic Council allow us to exchange experience and knowledge as well as boosting culture among our people."

Özer reminded that the number of members of the Union of Turkic Universities which was established in 2013 reached 30 and expressed his wish that the union will provide member states to boost cooperation between universities.

"We must teach our joint culture and values to our children not only in secondary and higher education but also during primary and preschool education. I hope that our cooperation in education will make a contribution to raise children who are aware of their original identity, traditions and history," said Özer.