ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Turkey have agreed to further bolster their trade, economic, investment and defense relations.
The understanding came during delegation level talks between both the countries in Islamabad on Friday in which Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi represented Pakistani side while the Turkish side by its Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu.
Addressing a joint news conference with the Turkish counterpart, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said the meeting also provided an opportunity to discuss the progress on Free Trade Agreement.
“Turkey supported Pakistan against Financial Action Task Force (FATF)’s decision to place it on grey list and wants the best solution for the Kashmir issue,” he added.
Further, the Pakistani foreign minister said, “The beauty of the relations between Pakistan and Turkey is that they are not restricted to a government level.”
A meeting of Pakistan and Turkey’s joint working group will be called soon, he shared.
Shah Mahmood Qureshi pointed out that a high level strategic council exists between the two countries which provide mechanism to ensure implementation on the already signed projects.
The foreign minister maintained that his Turkish counterpart has accepted his invitation to participate in the meeting of Kashmir Contact Group to be held on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session. He thanked unambiguous stance of Turkey on Kashmir and its support to Pakistan at other international forums.
Speaking on the occasion, the Turkish foreign minister thanked Qureshi for inviting him to the country and said, “I congratulate Prime Minster Imran Khan for assuming office and will thank him as well.”
“Governments change but real friendships remain,” he added. “We will work towards maintaining this friendship.”
Further, he said, “Qureshi and I discussed several topics of common interest.”
In his remarks, the Turkish FM termed the friendship of both the countries ‘everlasting’ while saying that Pakistan is his second home.
Describing talks with Shah Mahmood Qureshi as fruitful, he declared that they have agreed to further strengthen their relations. He said his country will encourage the Turkish companies to invest in different sectors in Pakistan. The Turkish Foreign Minister added that they also desire to further deepen our defense relations.
He said the defense industries of both countries have developed tremendously over a period of time and have expertise in different areas following which they can greatly benefit from each other’s experiences.
The Turkish Foreign Minister said that his country desires resolution of Kashmir dispute through dialogue between Pakistan and India and in accordance with the resolutions of the United Nations.
Before the conference, the Turkish foreign minister, who is on a four-day visit to Pakistan, held one-on-one talks with Qureshi on Friday.
Qureshi and Cavusoglu discussed strengthening Pak-Turkey strategic partnership in political and socio-economic sectors during their meeting.
Delegation level talks were also held between delegations of the two countries at FO.
“Both countries are tied in inseparable bonds of people to people affection based on common faith and objectives and shared destinies as members of Islamic world,” FO spokesperson Dr Muhammad Faisal said after the delegation-level talks.
“Pakistan and Turkey pledged to continue partnership for regional peace and stability,” he added. INP
