ANKARA, Apr 13 (APP): President Asif Ali Zardari on Wednesday said Pakistan and Turkey enjoy special relations and a unique friendship, which has no parallel and is unmatched.“Ours is a special bond which has no parallel. It is a unique friendship which is unmatched. Physically we may live thousands of miles apart but our hearts beat together”, President Zardari said while speaking at a banquet hosted in his honour by Turkish President Abdullah Gul here.The President said the colors of Pakistan and Turkish flags may be different, but the symbols of the crescent and the star are one and the same.
“From Ankara to Islamabad, from Konya to Multan and from Kayseri to Larkana, we are connected with a common bond of love and brotherhood. Indeed we are One Nation living in Two States”, he remarked.
The President said the people of Pakistan and Turkey have stood shoulder to shoulder since their birth, adding, “We rejoice on our achievements and we feel the pain when the other suffers.”
“Today, we remain united for a better tomorrow”, he added.
The President termed his detailed discussions with President Gul as “useful” and said “We have agreed to give a strategic direction to our economic relations”.
The President said Turkey has been a cradle of civilization, learning and innovative thinking, adding, throughout history, it has been a seat of great empires. Today, it stands tall in the comity of nations.”
He congratulated President Gul and Prime Minister Erdogan for their bold leadership to make Turkey a shining example for others. “We in Pakistan admire you and are proud of your achievements”, he added.
The President referred to and termed the events of the past few weeks in North Africa, Middle East and the Gulf as “a cause of great concern” and said “They call for our close attention.”
“We have come at a crossroads of history. We are witnessing a profound change in the heartland of the Muslim world”, he said and recalled that his wife Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir once said “Countries descend into darkness when pluralism is disrupted, when diversity is suppressed and when one man directs the destiny of millions”.
The President said, “the time has come for reflection and introspection. The well-being of our people should be our foremost priority. The future of our people should be shaped by their will and aspirations.”
He congratulated Turkey for taking a leadership and a principled role in these challenging times.
The President said like Turkey, Pakistan wants stability and peace in the region. “Peace and stability that is based on respect for the unity, territorial integrity and sovereignty of these states.”
He said in Pakistan, the government is mindful of its responsibilities to the people and the nation.
“Today we are confronted with multiple challenges.These are challenges of terrorism, extremism, flood disaster and energy shortages”, the President mentioned, adding, but the democratically elected government is determined to turn these challenges into opportunities.
The President said the government of Pakistan desires peace, stability and prosperity in our region, adding, “We have opened a new chapter of positive engagement with Afghanistan. It is an engagement that is based on mutual trust and confidence.”
“We have also embarked on a purposeful dialogue with India. We want to have a dialogue that is aimed at resolving all our outstanding issues”, he mentioned.
The President also thanked President Gul for honoring him with the prestigious “Devlet Nishan” and said “It is an honor and a symbol of exemplary ties between Pakistan and Turkey.”
“Turkey has a very special place in my heart. I have been coming here for many years now. I have fond memories of my earlier visits”, the President said and especially recalled his visits with his late wife Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto.
“Each time I come to Turkey, I am reminded of the special nature of our relations”, he added.
The President said the people of Pakistan and Turkey have stood shoulder to shoulder since their birth, adding, “We rejoice on our achievements and we feel the pain when the other suffers.”
“Today, we remain united for a better tomorrow”, he added.
The President termed his detailed discussions with President Gul as “useful” and said “We have agreed to give a strategic direction to our economic relations”.
The President said Turkey has been a cradle of civilization, learning and innovative thinking, adding, throughout history, it has been a seat of great empires. Today, it stands tall in the comity of nations.”
He congratulated President Gul and Prime Minister Erdogan for their bold leadership to make Turkey a shining example for others. “We in Pakistan admire you and are proud of your achievements”, he added.
The President referred to and termed the events of the past few weeks in North Africa, Middle East and the Gulf as “a cause of great concern” and said “They call for our close attention.”
“We have come at a crossroads of history. We are witnessing a profound change in the heartland of the Muslim world”, he said and recalled that his wife Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir once said “Countries descend into darkness when pluralism is disrupted, when diversity is suppressed and when one man directs the destiny of millions”.
The President said, “the time has come for reflection and introspection. The well-being of our people should be our foremost priority. The future of our people should be shaped by their will and aspirations.”
He congratulated Turkey for taking a leadership and a principled role in these challenging times.
He said in Pakistan, the government is mindful of its responsibilities to the people and the nation.
“Today we are confronted with multiple challenges.These are challenges of terrorism, extremism, flood disaster and energy shortages”, the President mentioned, adding, but the democratically elected government is determined to turn these challenges into opportunities.
The President said the government of Pakistan desires peace, stability and prosperity in our region, adding, “We have opened a new chapter of positive engagement with Afghanistan. It is an engagement that is based on mutual trust and confidence.”
“We have also embarked on a purposeful dialogue with India. We want to have a dialogue that is aimed at resolving all our outstanding issues”, he mentioned.
The President also thanked President Gul for honoring him with the prestigious “Devlet Nishan” and said “It is an honor and a symbol of exemplary ties between Pakistan and Turkey.”
“Turkey has a very special place in my heart. I have been coming here for many years now. I have fond memories of my earlier visits”, the President said and especially recalled his visits with his late wife Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto.
“Each time I come to Turkey, I am reminded of the special nature of our relations”, he added.
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