Pakistan and Turkey have agreed to transform their friendly relationship to a durable strategic and economic partnership. Pakistan was among the countries which had condemned the attempted coup and had announced support for President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Pakistani the parliament of Pakistan passed a resolution condemning the attempted military coup in Turkey.
Turkey had backs Pakistan’s stance on Kashmir in the recent past as well. Pakistan and Turkey both had been hit hard by militancy and terrorism hence the need for both states to jointly combat this challenge was necessary.
Turkey also lauds Pakistan’s efforts in maintaining peace in Afghanistan and hoped the two countries would jointly combat the challenges that they face.
Now the two sides called for increasing the exchange of trade, political, parliamentary and defence delegations in this regard, recent visit of the Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, he held meetings with Pakistani leadership and discussed matters related to strengthening both strategic, economic as well as cooperation against terrorism. Issues pertaining to bilateral relations and regional situation also came under discussion in these meetings.
In one of such meetings, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said Pakistan and Turkey enjoyed fraternal ties based on common and shared bonds of history, culture, traditions, religion and social values. He extended warmest congratulations to the Turkish leadership and people for their triumph against the assault on democracy on 15th of last month. The Prime Minister extended warmest congratulations to the Turkish leadership and people for their triumph against the assault on democracy on 15th of last month in a similar meting President Mamnoon Hussain said that Pakistan stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the Turkish people and President Tayyip Erdogan for the cause of democracy and stability in Turkey. He was talking to Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu. The president complimented the people of Turkey for their struggle for democratic stability. In a meeting with President Mamnoon Hussain in Islamabad, the Turkey foreign minister said that Turkey also supports Pakistan in its bid to secure membership of Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG).
Speaking at a joint press conference along with Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs, Sartaj Aziz,Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu vowed to fight terrorism together and to enhance strategic partnership to a new level.
“Turkey and Pakistan support each other in both good and difficult days. This is why Pakistan is the first country he was visiting following a coup attempt in Turkey, Turkish FM said, adding that Turkish and Pakistani people know they can rely on each other during most difficult times.
Pakistan’s Foreign Affairs Advsisor Sartaj Aziz said the Government and the people of Pakistan “stand in unshakable solidarity with their Turkish brothers and sisters.” The Advisor expressed the confidence that Pakistan and Turkey relations would continue to grow from strength to strength to serve as a powerful factor for stability and prosperity in the region and beyond.
Advisor on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz said the signing of Free Trade Agreement between the two countries would be an important milestone in bilateral relations. He hoped that FTA would be signed next month. Earlier in a meeting between Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu and Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affiars, Sartaj Aziz, the later reiterated Pakistan’s unequivocal support for a democratic, peaceful and stable Turkey under the dynamic leadership of President Erdogan.
Sartaj Aziz said the two countries share views on migration crisis and the plight of global refugees as Pakistan and Turkey host the largest refugee population in the world and believe that developed countries need to be more forthcoming in addressing the migration crisis.
Speaking at a joint press conference along with Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs, Sartaj Aziz,Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu vowed to fight terrorism together and to enhance strategic partnership to a new level. “Turkey and Pakistan support each other in both good and difficult days. This is why Pakistan is the first country he was visiting following a coup attempt in Turkey, Turkish FM said, adding that Turkish and Pakistani people know they can rely on each other during most difficult times.
Foreign Ministers of both Pakistan and Turkey vowed to fight terrorism together Sartaj Aziz said that Pakistan and Turkey’s thoughts on how to maintain peace in Afghanistan were similar.
Turkish Foreign Minister thanked Government and people of Pakistan for support and expressing solidarity in the wake of attempted coup in Turkey. He was grateful that Pakistani nation and the Parliament expressed full solidarity with Turkey and democracy. “After the attempted coup,this is my first visit to any country” said Cavusoglu. “I am very happy to be in Pakistan and thank the country for their support,” he added.
Touching upon the unrest in Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, the Turkish official once again assured his country support for Pakistan’s stance. “Turkey fully supports Pakistan’s position on Jammu and Kashmir,” Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said.
Cavusoglu said Turkey is an active member of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Contact Group of Kashmir and attends its meeting. Hopefully its next meeting would be held in September, he said. “I would like to ask the Secretary General of the OIC to mobilise the Contact Group and send an observer mission. We believe this issue (Kashmir) can be solved through dialogue.”
Leyla
Author is an Assistant Editor at Melange and Handling International Relations In Center for Pakistan and International Relations.