ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Turkiye have reaffirmed their commitment to achieving a bilateral trade volume of $5 billion in the coming years.
This pledge was made during a meeting between Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and President of Turkiye Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Islamabad on Thursday.
Both countries on the occasion also signed 24 protocols, MOUs, and agreements on cooperation in different fields.
The two leaders during the meeting had an in-depth exchange of views on various bilateral, regional, and global issues of mutual interest. This was followed by the 7th Session of the Pakistan-Turkiye High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council (HLSCC), co-chaired by both leaders.
In the HLSCC, the respective Ministers of both sides presented the progress reports of the nine Joint Standing Committees covering various areas of cooperation. Two new Joint Standing Committees on Health and IT also presented their reports.
The Chief of Army Staff, General Syed Asim Munir also participated in the meeting between the Pakistani and Turkish leaders, as well as the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council (HLSCC).
PM Shehbaz invites Turkish investors
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif invited Turkish companies to take benefit of this immense potential offered by Pakistan’s economic, trade, and investment landscape and explore mutually advantageous collaboration in the fields of agriculture, new and emerging technologies, energy, and mining, among others.
H stressed the need to deepen bilateral economic cooperation between the two brotherly countries through result-oriented actions, enhanced business interactions, and facilitating bilateral investments.
The Prime Minister also thanked President Erdogan for his strong, consistent, and principled stance on the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, and reaffirmed Pakistan’s steadfast support to Turkiye on core issues of its national interest.
Both leaders also reviewed recent developments in the Middle East during the course of which they expressed unwavering solidarity with the Palestinian people.
The Prime Minister reiterated Pakistan’s call for a two-state solution that envisages the creation of an independent and sovereign state of Palestine with pre-1967 borders and with Al Quds Al Sharif as its capital, in accordance with the relevant resolutions of the UN and OIC.
Erdogan eyes enhanced trade ties with Pakistan
Later addressing a press stakeout, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Turkish investors will be encouraged to engage more in Pakistan and develop flagship projects.
He said our military dialogue and cooperation in the defence industry have grown our trade and investment relations exponentially. He said the two sides have reaffirmed the determination to advance the projects and potential areas of cooperation including procurement, sales, and joint manufacturing.
Referring to 24 agreements signed today, the Turkish President expressed confidence that they will prove beneficial for the two countries and the region.
Recep Tayyip Erdogan appreciated Pakistan’s great sacrifices in the war against terrorism. He reemphasized Turkiye’s unconditional support to Pakistan in its fight against all forms of terrorism.
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The Turkish President said his country stands in solidarity with the Kashmiri brothers. He said Turkiye will continue its firm support for the resolution of the Kashmir dispute through dialogue based on the UN resolutions and aspirations of the Kashmiri people.
Recep Tayyip Erdogan also commended Pakistan’s unwavering stance on the Palestine issue, saying both countries will continue to work together for the establishment of an independent and sovereign Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Earlier upon arrival at the Prime Minister’s House, the Turkish President was welcomed warmly by the Prime Minister. He inspected the Guard of Honour, witnessed a flypast of PAF fighter jets, and planted a tree in the lawns of the Prime Minister’s House.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan later visited the presidency where he held a meeting with President Asif Ali Zardari and discussed. Bilateral ties and regional and international situation.
