Pakistan and Turkey on Friday expressed their resolve to further strengthen the existing economic, trade and commercial relations between the two countries, as well as enhance efforts for peace in the region.
President Erdogan and Prime Minister Imran Khan agreed to develop a joint economic strategic framework, which would identify potential areas of economic and trade interests of the two countries, and identify obstacles in the way of enhanced trade and investment and remove them.
Prime Minister Imran Khan, while addressing a joint press conference with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan after one-to-one and delegations level meetings, said that there was unanimity of views between the two sides on various issues of bilateral and regional interest.
Prime Minister Imran Khan, who was on a two-day official visit to Turkey said Pakistan and Turkey enjoyed very special relations bonded with fraternal ties rooted in history, culture and religion.
He said the relationships between the two brotherly countries passed from generation to generation and the affiliation, the love, the connection between Pakistan and Turkey had always been there and Pakistan wanted to take those ties to a much higher level.
The prime minister said Pakistan wanted to strengthen its relationships with Turkey in all fields.
Pakistan wanted to take benefit from Turkish expertise in construction field as the government had embarked on an ambitious project of constructing five million housing units in next five year. Turkey had constructed two million houses in the last six years, the prime minister added.
The prime minister said Pakistan also wanted to take benefit from the Turkish health system, legal aid to under privilege people and education reforms.
About the Afghan issue, the prime minister said it was time that the international community, and anyone who could help in bringing peace to the war torn country, should come forward.
He said Pakistan had already been helping dialogue between the United States and Taliban, but it needed much stronger efforts from all the stakeholders and its neighbours.
The prime minister said he was looking forward to the trilateral summit meeting of Afghanistan, Pakistan and Turkey in Istanbul. He expressed the hope that the trio would be able to help in the peace process.
The prime minister while speaking about peace in South Asia said Pakistan was trying to have a dialogue and friendly relationships with India, but the later refused from holding talks.
He said that Kashmir was the basic issue between the two countries, adding that there was now an indigenous movement in Indian held Kashmir, where the people were sick of the three decades of Indian forces atrocities against them.
The prime minister said the leadership of the two countries discussed that Pakistan wanted stability but it would come when Pakistan and India sat together to start dialogue and resolved the differences.
Prime Minister Imran Khan assured the Turkish leadership that Pakistan stood by them to defeat the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).
He said that ISIS had already emerged in various parts of Afghanistan and Pakistan’s border areas and former tribal areas were threatened by ISIS.
But fortunately, Pakistan Army and intelligence agencies had done a remarkable job by defeating terrorism, he said adding terrorism had been vastly reduced in Pakistan.
The prime minister hoped with the help of Pakistan’s neighbours … Iran, Afghanistan and Turkey “we can eliminate terrorism.”
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan while speaking at the joint press conference said during the talks both sides stressed to further enhance bilateral relationships between them.
There were inter-delegation meetings where economic, political and issues of terrorism were discussed, he said,
The Turkish President expressed his pleasure over Supreme Court of Pakistan declaring Pak-Turk Education Foundation a terrorist organization and the schools belonging to that terrorists organization would be transferred to Maarif Foundation.
He said the roots of Pakistan and Turkey relationships go back to a very long and this brotherhood was very supportive for problems of both the countries.
He assured Turkey would continue to be with Pakistan in future, adding, there was very strong support in Turkey for Pakistan.
Erdogan said both sides discussed all dimensions of their relationships. He expressed the hope that meeting of Turkish Pakistan High Council Strategic Partnership would be held in Islamabad and foreign offices of both the countries would work on it.
About the trilateral Istanbul summit of Pakistan, Afghanistan and Turkey, he hoped it would be held after March 31 elections in Turkey.
He said bilateral, commercial ties between the two countries and cooperation and solidarity would be pursued and further extended in future.
The Turkish President said both the countries also discussed joint steps in the field of defence industry.
A joint declaration was also issued following Imran’s meeting with Erdogan, where in the two leaders:
“Re-affirmed that the unparalleled fraternal relations between the peoples and the governments of the two countries date back centuries and are embedded in a common cultural and religious heritage, as well as a shared vision for the future, based on complete mutual understanding and trust;
Reiterated their determination to continue extending strong mutual support to one another on all issues of core national interest;
Expressed their commitment to further enhance their bilateral relations in every field to the benefit of their peoples;
Reiterated the importance of the Turkey-Pakistan High Level Strategic Cooperation Council mechanism that also includes several working groups in further strengthening bilateral relations;
Expressed their resolve to further strengthening the existing economic, trade and commercial relations between the two countries;
Agreed to initiate mechanisms for collaboration in health and agriculture sectors;
Decided to further enhance people-to-people contacts through increased exchanges and cooperation in education, culture, tourism and youth fields;
Underlined their abiding commitment fighting the menace of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations;
Reiterated their resolve to fight against the Fethullah Gülen Terrorist Organization;
Expressed satisfaction at the ongoing cooperation between the two countries at the multilateral forums including at the United Nations, Organization of Islamic Cooperation; Economic Cooperation Organization; Developing 8 Countries; as well as other relevant forums;
Reaffirmed their commitment for achieving and sustaining peace, security and stability in their respective regions as well as internationally;
Underscored the need for resolution of the issue of Jammu and Kashmir through a sustained dialogue process and in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions;
Recognized the Turkish support for Pakistan’s membership in the Nuclear Suppliers’ Group (NSG) based on non-discriminatory criteria, and reaffirmed that Pakistan’s adherence to the NSG Guidelines and participation in the NSG would strengthen the global non-proliferation objectives;
Acknowledged that sustainable peace and stability in Afghanistan could be achieved through reconciliation of all segments of the Afghan society with support of the regional countries and the international community;
Reiterated their full and resolute support to the efforts for the comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus issue on the basis of the political equality of the two communities on the Island, with a view to building peace and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean;
Emphasized the centrality of the cause of Palestine, rejected any attempt to alter the legal status and historical character of Al Quds; called on the international community to increase their support to the Palestinian people in realizing their quest for the establishment of an independent, sovereign and contiguous State of Palestine on the basis of the borders of 1967 with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital;
Agreed to increase collaboration to uphold the true values of Islam at the international forums as well as to work closely against any attempts to malign, distort or vilify the historical image of Islam, its revered personalities, and its fundamental beliefs;
Expressed their strong resolve to further increase the frequency of bilateral contacts at the highest level;
Reiterated their determination to continue taking steps in all areas of mutual interest for mutual peace and prosperity, especially by transforming the historic Turkey-Pakistan relationship into an increasingly stronger trade, investment and economic relationship for the benefit of the peoples of the two countries; and
Agreed to convene the 6th Session of the Turkey-Pakistan High Level Strategic Cooperation Council in Pakistan at mutually convenient dates for further discussion on these areas”.
Prime Minister Imran Khan assured the Turkish leadership that Pakistan stood by them to defeat the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).
He said that ISIS had already emerged in various parts of Afghanistan and Pakistan’s border areas and former tribal areas were threatened by ISIS.
But fortunately, Pakistan Army and intelligence agencies had done a remarkable job by defeating terrorism, he said adding terrorism had been vastly reduced in Pakistan.
The prime minister hoped with the help of Pakistan’s neighbours … Iran, Afghanistan and Turkey “we can eliminate terrorism.”
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan while speaking at the joint press conference said during the talks both sides stressed to further enhance bilateral relationships between them.
There were inter-delegation meetings where economic, political and issues of terrorism were discussed, he said,
The Turkish President expressed his pleasure over Supreme Court of Pakistan declaring Pak-Turk Education Foundation a terrorist organization and the schools belonging to that terrorists organization would be transferred to Maarif Foundation.
He said the roots of Pakistan and Turkey relationships go back to a very long and this brotherhood was very supportive for problems of both the countries.
He assured Turkey would continue to be with Pakistan in future, adding, there was very strong support in Turkey for Pakistan.
Erdogan said both sides discussed all dimensions of their relationships. He expressed the hope that meeting of Turkish Pakistan High Council Strategic Partnership would be held in Islamabad and foreign offices of both the countries would work on it.
About the trilateral Istanbul summit of Pakistan, Afghanistan and Turkey, he hoped it would be held after March 31 elections in Turkey.
He said bilateral, commercial ties between the two countries and cooperation and solidarity would be pursued and further extended in future.
The Turkish President said both the countries also discussed joint steps in the field of defence industry.
A joint declaration was also issued following Imran’s meeting with Erdogan, where in the two leaders:
“Re-affirmed that the unparalleled fraternal relations between the peoples and the governments of the two countries date back centuries and are embedded in a common cultural and religious heritage, as well as a shared vision for the future, based on complete mutual understanding and trust;
Reiterated their determination to continue extending strong mutual support to one another on all issues of core national interest;
Expressed their commitment to further enhance their bilateral relations in every field to the benefit of their peoples;
Reiterated the importance of the Turkey-Pakistan High Level Strategic Cooperation Council mechanism that also includes several working groups in further strengthening bilateral relations;
Expressed their resolve to further strengthening the existing economic, trade and commercial relations between the two countries;
Agreed to initiate mechanisms for collaboration in health and agriculture sectors;
Decided to further enhance people-to-people contacts through increased exchanges and cooperation in education, culture, tourism and youth fields;
Underlined their abiding commitment fighting the menace of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations;
Reiterated their resolve to fight against the Fethullah Gülen Terrorist Organization;
Expressed satisfaction at the ongoing cooperation between the two countries at the multilateral forums including at the United Nations, Organization of Islamic Cooperation; Economic Cooperation Organization; Developing 8 Countries; as well as other relevant forums;
Reaffirmed their commitment for achieving and sustaining peace, security and stability in their respective regions as well as internationally;
Underscored the need for resolution of the issue of Jammu and Kashmir through a sustained dialogue process and in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions;
Recognized the Turkish support for Pakistan’s membership in the Nuclear Suppliers’ Group (NSG) based on non-discriminatory criteria, and reaffirmed that Pakistan’s adherence to the NSG Guidelines and participation in the NSG would strengthen the global non-proliferation objectives;
Acknowledged that sustainable peace and stability in Afghanistan could be achieved through reconciliation of all segments of the Afghan society with support of the regional countries and the international community;
Reiterated their full and resolute support to the efforts for the comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus issue on the basis of the political equality of the two communities on the Island, with a view to building peace and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean;
Emphasized the centrality of the cause of Palestine, rejected any attempt to alter the legal status and historical character of Al Quds; called on the international community to increase their support to the Palestinian people in realizing their quest for the establishment of an independent, sovereign and contiguous State of Palestine on the basis of the borders of 1967 with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital;
Agreed to increase collaboration to uphold the true values of Islam at the international forums as well as to work closely against any attempts to malign, distort or vilify the historical image of Islam, its revered personalities, and its fundamental beliefs;
Reiterated their determination to continue taking steps in all areas of mutual interest for mutual peace and prosperity, especially by transforming the historic Turkey-Pakistan relationship into an increasingly stronger trade, investment and economic relationship for the benefit of the peoples of the two countries; and Agreed to convene the 6th Session of the Turkey-Pakistan High Level Strategic Cooperation Council in Pakistan at mutually convenient dates for further discussion on these areas”.
Published in Daily Times, January 5th 2019
