AKIPRESS.COM - Humanitarian cooperation is one of the priority areas of interaction within the Organization of Turkic States (OTS), as confirmed by the second meeting of the Turkic States Red Crescent and Red Cross Network, currently taking place in Baku, OTS Secretary General Kubanychbek Omuraliev said, Trend reported.

He noted that although cooperation within the OTS covers more than 45 areas—ranging from foreign policy, economy, trade, sports, and youth to agriculture and technology—the humanitarian direction holds one of the key places.

The OTS Secretary General mentioned that work in the humanitarian sphere is carried out through the Ministries of Emergency Situations.

"Last year in Bishkek, the main departmental document on civil protection was adopted and signed by the heads of state. This agreement has already been ratified and will soon come into force. The creation of a network via the Red Cross and Red Crescent is also a continuation of our cooperation in this direction," Omuraliev explained.

He pointed out that cooperation is not limited only to assistance during catastrophes, droughts, or other disasters. Historically, Turkic peoples have always helped each other in difficult times, and this cooperation unites Turkic nations and continues centuries-old traditions of brotherhood.