Pakistan, Turkey agree to form strategic economic partnership

Pakistan and Turkey agreed to transform their warm relationship into a durable strategic and economic partnership during a delegation level talk headed by visiting Turkish Foreign Minister, Mevlut Cavusoglu and Pakistans Advisor on Foreign Affairs, Sartaj Aziz in federal capital Islamabad.

In a joint press stakeout after the meeting, the two leaders said that both the countries are determined to deepen ties in diverse fields. Advisor on Foreign Affairs said they decided to further intensify engagement at all levels of relations to achieve this cherished goal. He said early signing of Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the two countries would be an important milestone in bilateral relations.

It is expected to be finalized during the next few weeks. Sartaj Aziz reiterated Pakistan's unequivocal support for a democratic, peaceful and stable Turkey under the dynamic leadership of President Erdogan.

He said the Government as well as people of Pakistan stand in unshakable solidarity with their Turkish brothers and sisters. The Advisor further said Pakistan side expressed condolences over loss of precious lives in the recent incidents of terrorism.

He noted with satisfaction that both sides have agreed to continue to tackle the menace of terrorism and defeat the scourge. He said the two sides also exchanged views on situation in Afghanistan and the need for a lasting political solution. Sartaj Aziz said the two countries share similar views on migration crisis and the plight of Syrian refugees.

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.

In his remarks, the Turkish Foreign Minister categorically declared that his country would continue to support people of Jammu and Kashmir and Pakistani position on Kashmir dispute. He asked Organization of the Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Secretary General to mobilize OIC Contact Group on Kashmir and send a fact-finding mission to the situation in Indian Occupied Kashmir.

He said the dispute can only be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy and not through use of force. The Turkish Foreign Minister thanked Government and people of Pakistan for extending support and expressing solidarity in the wake of attempted coup in Turkey.

He expressed pleasure that Pakistani nation and the Parliament expressed full solidarity with Turkey and democracy. The visiting dignitary said, "Turkey is taking necessary legal measures against coup plotters and the terrorist organization headed by Gullen," adding that the organization has a network of schools, businesses and cultural entities all over the world including Pakistan and Turkey had been supporting these organizations in the past, as it did not know they were plotting to take over power in Turkey.

Turkey has full cooperation from Pakistan in addressing this problem, he remarked. The Turkish Foreign Minister during his stay in Islamabad called on the President of Pakistan, Mamnoon Hussain and the Prime Minister, Muhammad Nawaz Sharif. Both leaders expressed satisfaction at the continued expansion and deepening of bilateral relations.

The Prime Minister emphasized the importance that Pakistan attaches to its relations with Turkey and underlined the need to hold regular high-level exchanges. They reiterated their strong condemnation of the attempted coup in Turkey and lauded the successful defense of democracy by the people of Turkey under the popular leadership of President Erdogan.