On November 2, 2023, the Belarusian-Turkish Research Center was opened on the basis of the Institute of Philosophy of the NAS of Belarus. The ceremony was attended by the heads of the NAS of Belarus, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Turkey to the Republic of Belarus Mustafa Ozjan, member of the Board of Trustees of the Maarif Foundation Navzat Shimshek, representatives of the Maarif Foundation, representatives of the scientific community, etc.

As Chairman of the Presidium of the NAS of Belarus Vladimir Gusakov noted at the opening ceremony, the creation of the Center is an important constructive step towards the further development of relations between Belarus and Turkey, between scientists, public and cultural figures of our countries. This step was made possible thanks to the friendly relations between the leaders of our two countries. "We are well aware of the breakthrough results of Turkish science, we actively cooperate with many scientific organizations in Turkey. Among them are the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey TÜBITAK, the Turkish Academy of Sciences, etc. Today we are starting active cooperation with the Maarif Foundation. The opening of the Belarusian-Turkish Research Center is only the first serious step in our cooperation, which should be actively carried out in various areas of science, and not only in philosophy," Vladimir Gusakov stressed. The Head of the Academy of Sciences thanked the Embassy of the Republic of Turkey in the Republic of Belarus, the Turkish Maarif Foundation for supporting and promoting joint solutions. Vladimir Gusakov proposed to organize the study of the Turkish language for citizens of the country on the basis of the University of the NAS of Belarus.

In turn, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Turkey to the Republic of Belarus Mustafa Ozjan noted that Turkey and Belarus have special warm relations. But today it is necessary to move forward, especially in the development of mutually beneficial cooperation in the field of education, science, research and to reach new high frontiers.

The joint Belarusian-Turkish Research Center of the NAS of Belarus and the Turkish Maarif Foundation was established in accordance with the Protocol on Cooperation between the NAS of Belarus and the Turkish Cultural Foundation. Its main tasks are: coordination and implementation of joint research works, individual projects in the field of historical, cultural and philosophical heritage of Belarus and Turkey, professional development of scientific personnel by studying the Turkish language, as well as translation of works of Turkish and Belarusian philosophers, scientists into Belarusian and Turkish.

The joint Belarusian-Turkish Research Center is a structural subdivision of the Institute of Philosophy of the NAS of Belarus, it includes both Belarusian and Turkish researchers. Thus, the Center serves as a space for theoretical and practical interaction between scientists of two cultures of different origin and semantic content. Such interaction is especially significant because it allows us to identify common value and ideological vectors in the historical past and cultural present of two different, but cooperating states and peoples. Currently, the Center is focused on the implementation of one common theme Philosophical, Spiritual, and Cultural Heritage of Belarus and Turkey: History and Modernity. Within the framework of this general topic, in 2023, Turkish researchers are preparing an Overview of the Main Achievements of Turkish Philosophy, and their Belarusian colleagues are investigating the Influence of the Belarusian-Muslim Tradition on the Formation of Cultural and National Identity.

In addition to the research part, the center's work involves both educational and popularization functions. Thus, on the basis of the Center, scientists of the NAS of Belarus are supposed to study the Turkish language, various lectures and master classes are planned.