ISLAMABAD: Turkish President Recept Tayyib Erdogan Thursday said they are concerned and keeping a close eye on the situation along the LoC and loss of lives of the people.
“Kashmir needs a final resolution based on dialogue mechanism between Pakistan and India according to UN resolutions and aspirations of Kashmiri people”.
This was stated by the visiting Turkish President in a joint news conference with Prime Minister after their one on one meeting and delegation level talks at the Prime Minister House.
He said the increasing number of problems and tension along the LoC was having significant impact on our brothers and sisters in Kashmir. He said OIC will continue to extend support to Pakistan on the matter.
Turning to bilateral relations, President Erdogan said there are enormous activities between the two countries as they have been making progress in defence, health, agriculture, energy and other fields.
Erdogan said they are aiming to conclude the Free trade Agreement (FTA) before 2017. He said our relations with Pakistan are growing in strength and in the last five years period since the establishment of high level strategic council, they have held five summits of the council and the next one will be held in Turkey shortly.
Touching upon Afghan Pakistan cooperation, he Turkey wants to see improved relations. He emphasized that this is vital to fight the scourge of terrorism. He said the trilateral mechanism between Turkey-Pakistan Afghanistan initiated in 2007 had yielded positive results in strengthening the relations. He expressed the confidence that the cooperation between the three countries will be further improved and strengthened in the days ahead.
The Turkish President thanked Pakistan’s support in the wake of failed coup attemp in Turkey. He said he received phone calls from the top Pakistani leadership including President Mamnoon, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, who expressed their support for democracy in the country and discussed what should be done together. He said we will never forget the sincerity and support extended by Pakistan for Turkish democracy.
President Erdogan said the people of Pakistan have demonstrated that Pakistan is a friend in need and pointed out that they have also received from both champers of Pakistani parliament and high level visits. He said they will never forget the sincerity of Pakistan.
Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the Turkish government is determinedly taking on what he termed the Fethullah Terror Organisation (Feto).
He said the Pakistan government’s move to order expulsion of the Turkish staff of Pak-Turk Schools by Nov 20, which are allegedly run by Gulen’s network from the country ahead of his trip reminded everyone here about the coup attempt and domestic challenges confronting his government.
“I am thankful for the solidarity demonstrated by the Pakistani administration on this matter… And for their decisive stance against this organisation,” Erdogan said today.
“It is necessary to dismantle this evil network… The terrorist organisation is a threat to the security of Pakistan,” he claimed.
“The students in the Pak-Turk schools will be taken care of to the highest standards thanks to joint cooperation” between Pakistan and Turkey, Erdogan claimed.
“The recent development in solidarity and support has been the decision to ask Pak-Turk staff to leave by Nov 20,” Erdogan said. “This organisation will find no shelter in Pakistan.”
“Some columnists in Pakistani newspapers were underlining or making innocent statements or remarks but they are not welcomed by us,” the Turkish president said.
The Turkish President described his talks with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif as very productive and said besides entire gamut of bilateral relations, we also discussed regional and international issues.
He said besides economy, trade and cultural relations, Pakistan and Turkey are also improving relations in defense, energy and other fields.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, welcoming the visiting dignitary, said Pakistan is President Erdogan’s second home and the relations between the two countries are based on mutual trust and respect.
Condemning the coup attempt in Turkey which took place earlier this year, the Prime Minister said Pakistan was shocked by the attempt and the Pakistani nation stands with the elected government of Turkey.
“The Turkish public defeated the coup attempt with courage and bravery,” the Prime Minister said, adding that the people of Turkey made history by upholding democracy, which is laudable.
The Prime Minister appreciated Turkey’s efforts in trying to resolve the Kashmir dispute. He further said that trade and investments between the two countries should increase.
“We have decided to hold talks in order to finalise a free trade agreement till 2017,” the Prime Minister said.
Nawaz Sharif said they remain committed to transform Pak-Turkey relationship into a strong strategic partnership.
Nawaz appreciated Turkey’s support to Pakistan to join the Nuclear Suppliers Group, adding that it had “strengthened Pakistan’s position.”
“We believe that our close relationship serves as a stability factor in the region,” the premier said.
Nawaz said “2017 marks the 70th year of Pak-Turkey diplomatic relations” and will be celebrated in a “befitting manner.”
The PM said that “increased trade must be the nucleus of the robust economic relation we envision.”
The Prime Minister said Pakistan and Turkey are indispensable partners and they would continue to work together closely to strengthen peace, security and development in the region and beyond.
Mian Nawaz Sharif said he briefed the visiting dignitary about Pakistan’s continuing commitment to build a peaceful neighbourhood despite setback to our sincere efforts.
He said he also updated him about continuing grave human rights violations in Occupied Kashmir and the current state of Pakistan-India relations.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif thanked President Erdogan for promoting peaceful resolution of Kashmir dispute and the active role Turkey has been playing in OIC Contact Group on Kashmir.
Earlier Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had one on one meeting and then led delegation level talks.
The two sides expressed satisfaction over the existing level of cooperation in different areas and decided to further strengthen them in the days to come. They also discussed regional and international issues and matters of mutual interests.
On arrival at the PM House, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif and Defense Minister Khawaja Asif warmly received the visiting dignitary.
A formal welcome ceremony in honor of the Turkish President was held. Anthems of both the countries were played and a smartly turned out contingent of the armed forces also presented guard of honor to the visiting dignitary.
Later, the Prime Minister introduced the cabinet members to the Turkish President. The Prime Minister also met the Turkish delegation.
