ANKARA, 3 April 2015: As part of
his consultations with the brotherly countries on the evolving situation in the
region, particularly Yemen, Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif paid a day-long
visit to Turkey. During his stay in Ankara, the Prime Minister had in-depth
consultations with Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu and President Recep Tayyip
Erdogan.
Turkish Prime Minister Davutoglu
received Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif at the Cankaya Palace. The two leaders
were assisted by senior members of their respective delegations during their
detailed discussions. Afterwards, they addressed a joint press conference.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said that
the deteriorating situation in Yemen needed immediate attention. He added that Pakistan
would make all possible efforts to help resolve the issue in a peaceful manner.
He reiterated the stance that Saudi Arabia is a close friend and that Pakistan
attaches great importance to its security and territorial integrity. He
informed his Turkish counterpart about the recent visit of a high-level
Pakistani delegation, led by the Minister for Defense, to Saudi Arabia.
During his remarks at the joint
press conference, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif reiterated the concern at the
overthrow of the legitimate Government in Yemen, by use of force by non-state
actors. He added that the situation was grave and might endanger the unity of
the Muslim Ummah, which would have implications for the whole region. “We
agreed to call upon the warring factions in Yemen to resolve the differences
peacefully,” said the Prime Minister. He added that Pakistan and Turkey agreed
to work together in their common resolve to have a peaceful resolution of the
current crisis.
The Pakistani Prime Minister stressed
that Saudi Arabia is a close friend for both Pakistan and Turkey. “Our two
countries agreed that we will stand by Saudi Arabia in its hour of need and
shall extend all possible support in the defence of Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty
and territorial integrity.” The Prime Minister added that we also have close
and brotherly relations with other Islamic countries in the region and attached
great importance to their security and territorial integrity. He renewed the
commitment that Pakistan would stay engaged with the Saudi leadership and those
of other Muslim countries in the region for amicable resolution of the issue.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif later
met with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the Presidential Palace. Besides having
a detailed meeting, the Prime Minister and the accompanying delegation participated
in the working luncheon hosted by President Erdogan in his honour. Both leaders
conferred on the regional situation, with a particular reference to Yemen. Prime
Minister Nawaz Sharif shared Pakistan’s concern at the recent developments and
underscored the importance of close consultations between Pakistan and Turkey
on this issue that threatened regional stability and the Ummah’s unity. Noting
that Turkey was the first country visited by him as part of his consultations
with brotherly countries, he stressed the importance of Pakistan and Turkey
working together to help bring the conflict to an end at the earliest. Both
leaders agreed to remain in close contact, hold consultations through
appropriate mechanisms, and develop a way forward to promote the shared goal of
a quick and peaceful resolution of the issue thus strengthening peace and
stability in the region.
During their wide-ranging
discussions, both sides reaffirmed the exemplary nature of Pakistan-Turkey
bilateral relations and reiterated their resolve to take this strategic
relationship to newer heights. Prime Minister Davutoglu also stated that the
Turkish Foreign Minister would be visiting Pakistan shortly.
During the visit, Prime Minister
Nawaz Sharif and Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu also offered the Friday
prayers, together, at the Hasan Tanik Mosque in Ankara.
Earlier, on arrival in Ankara, Prime
Minister Nawaz Sharif was welcomed at the airport by Mr. Idris Gulluce, Turkish
Minister for Urbanization and Environment and co-Chair of Pakistan-Turkey Joint
Ministerial Commission, Mr. Burhan Kayaturk, Head of the Turkey-Pakistan
Friendship Group in Turkish Parliament, Ambassador of Pakistan Mr. Sohail
Mahmood and senior officials of the Turkish Government and members of the
Pakistan Embassy.
The Prime Minister was
accompanied by a high-level delegation including Advisor on National Security
and Foreign Affairs Mr. Sartaj Aziz, Minister of State Syed Tariq Fatemi,
Foreign Secretary Mr. Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry, and senior officials.
More photos from http://goo.gl/Y6mEVC
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