Prime Ministers of Pakistan concludes a highly successful
visit to Turkey; Strategic Relationship between the two brotherly countries
reaffirmed as a number of MOUs/Agreements signed at the conclusion of the 5th
Session of the Pakistan-Turkey High Level Strategic Cooperation Council (HLSCC)
ANKARA, 25 February
2017: Pakistan and Turkey reaffirmed the strategic dimension of bilateral
relations as Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and Prime Minister Binali
Yildrim, co-chaired the 5th Session of the Pakistan-Turkey Strategic
Cooperation Council (HLSCC) in Ankara yesterday. Ministers and senior officials
from both sides attended the meeting.
Established in 2009,
the Pakistan-Turkey High Level Cooperation Council (HLSCC) serves as a
framework for consultations at the highest political level between the two
sides, and consists of six Joint Working Groups (JWGs) in the areas of energy;
trade; banking & finance; education; communications & railways; and
culture and tourism. So far 60 Agreements/MoUs have been signed under the HLSCC
framework in various areas.
The deliberations
covered the entire gamut of Turkey-Pakistan bilateral relations and exchange of
views on regional and international issues. Specifically, the two sides
reviewed progress on issues relating to the six Joint Working Groups under
HLSCC and expressed satisfaction at the significant progress achieved under the
mechanism.
The two countries
agreed to prioritize cooperation in the energy sector, including in the field
of renewable energy; increase bilateral trade and investment; enhance
collaboration in the banking & finance sectors; benefit from mutual
expertise in the area of education and promote cooperation between the higher
education institutions; reinforce the ongoing collaboration in the fields of
communications and railways; and promote culture and tourism through increased
people-to-people contacts.
The two sides also
agreed to expeditiously complete the work on developing a comprehensive,
long-term and forward-looking framework for defence cooperation and enhance
partnership between the defence industries of the two countries. They also
expressed satisfaction at their existing close cooperation at regional and
multi-lateral fora, including on United Nations Security Council reform process
and issues pertaining to global non-proliferation agenda.
The Joint
Declaration on Turkey-Pakistan Strategic Relationship for Peace and Prosperity
issued at the end of the meeting inter alia condemned in the strongest possible
terms the recent terrorist attacks in Pakistan and Turkey; expressed firm
resolve to fight the common threats faced by both countries; reaffirmed mutual
support on issues of core national interest; and agreed to intensify
collaboration in diverse fields.
At the conclusion of
the 5th Session of HLSCC, the two countries signed 10 Agreements/MOUs, in a
number of areas of bilateral cooperation, including the Joint Declaration.
Earlier, Prime
Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif had a one-on-one meeting with Prime Minister
Binali Yildrim during which he inter alia expressed deep gratitude for the
steadfast and principled support of Turkey for the Kashmir cause. He also
reiterated Pakistan’s strong condemnation of the 15th July 2016 coup-attempt in
Turkey, and paid rich tributes to the sacrifices, bravery and resilience of the
Turkish people in the defence of Turkish democracy and democratic institutions.
Prime Minister also
held a meeting with the President of the Turkish Republic, Recep Tayyip
Erdogan, on 22 February during which the leaders reaffirmed the abiding, historic,
and unparalleled fraternal ties between the two sides and reiterated their
resolve to continue transforming this deep-rooted relationship to utilize the
untapped economic and trade potential for the benefit and prosperity of the
peoples of the two countries.
The Prime Minister
reiterated Pakistan’s strong condemnation of the 15th July 2016 coup-attempt in
Turkey and paid homage to the sacrifices and resilience of the Turkish people
in defence of the Turkish democracy. He thanked President Erdogan for Turkey’s
unequivocal and firm support for the just resolution of the Jammu & Kashmir
dispute in accordance with the wishes and aspirations of the Kashmiri people
and relevant UN Security Council resolutions.
The Prime Minister
emphasized that enhancing economic relations between the two countries remained
a core priority and expressed the hope that the remaining technicalities with
respect to the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) would be completed soon. He
reiterated Pakistan’s firm and resolute determination to fight the common
threat posed by terrorism and to root out the menace. Issues pertaining to
regional and international situation also came under discussion during the
meeting.
Prime Minister
visited the Turkish Parliament to witness the section of the Parliament that
was bombed on the night of 15th July 2016 during the reprehensible coup-attempt
in Turkey.
The Prime Minister
paid rich tributes to the Turkish people and their democratic representatives
for their historic defiance and legendary courage, adding that the Turkish
Parliament was the sacred symbol of Turkey’s democracy and the aspirations of
its people. He recalled that the people and the Government of Pakistan stood
solidly by Turkey against the 15th July coup-attempt, with both Houses of
Pakistan’s Parliament passing unanimous resolutions in support of its
leadership and democratic institutions.
The Prime Minister
also visited the Mausoleum of Gazi Mustafa Kemal Ataturk to pay homage to the
founder of the Turkish Republic. The Prime Minister lauded the visionary
leadership and great statesmanship of Kemal Ataturk and noted that the Kemal
Ataturk was an inspiration for the freedom-loving people of the world,
including the founding fathers of Pakistan.
Senior Ministers and
Parliamentarians also accompanied the Prime Minister on these occasions.
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