ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Turkiye have agreed to take the volume of their bilateral trade to $5 billion, Radio Pakistan reported on Monday. The understanding between the two sides came at delegation level talks between the two sides in Islamabad today. Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar represented the Pakistani side while the Turkish delegation was led by its Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. They also reviewed progress on bilateral cooperation and discussed regional and global matters of mutual interest.
Later addressing a joint news conference along with the Turkish top diplomat, Dar said that the two nations are also planning to hold the next session of Pakistan Turkiye High Level Strategic Cooperation Council soon. He added that this council meeting will carry out a comprehensive review of our current cooperation as well as bilateral strategic economic framework.
Ishaq Dar said there is also a history of Pakistan-Turkiye collaboration on defense. He maintained that they are working on various joint ventures and continue to support each other to defend their territorial sovereignty and in the fight against terrorism. He said the two sides have always supported each other on core matters and assisted during natural calamities.
Expressing his gratitude to Ankara for its firm and consistent support to the oppressed people of Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), Ishaq Dar said that Islamabad will continue to support the legitimate struggle of the people of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.
Ishaq Dar said Turkiye and Pakistan are two nations but one nation. In his remarks, the Turkish Foreign Minister stated that Pakistan is their strategic partner and our cooperation supports the regional stability and peace. He said Ankara stands by Islamabad in their fight against terrorism.
The two Foreign Ministers also voiced serious concerns over the current situation in Gaza. They also emphasized for a permanent truce in the Gaza Strip and provision of humanitarian relief to Palestinians.
