Islamabad: Pakistan and Turkiye have committed to intensifying efforts to achieve a trade volume of five billion dollars. This commitment was made during a meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the Pakistan-Turkiye High Level Strategic Cooperation Council in Islamabad.
According to Radio Pakistan, President Erdogan addressed a press stakeout, emphasizing the need to expand the scope of the existing goods trade agreement as an initial step. He encouraged Turkish investors to engage more actively in Pakistan and focus on developing flagship projects. Erdogan highlighted the significant growth in military dialogue and defense industry cooperation, which has boosted trade and investment relations between the two nations. He also mentioned the reaffirmed determination to advance joint projects and explore new areas of cooperation, including procurement, sales, and manufacturing.
The Turkish President expressed confidence in the twenty-four agreements signed, anticipating their benefits for both countries and the broader region. He acknowledged Pakistan’s significant sacrifices in the fight against terrorism and reiterated Turkiye’s unwavering support in combating all forms of terrorism. Erdogan also expressed solidarity with Kashmir, affirming Turkiye’s support for resolving the dispute through dialogue based on UN resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.
Erdogan lauded Pakistan’s consistent stance on the Palestine issue, underscoring the joint efforts of both countries towards establishing an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed gratitude for Turkiye’s consistent support on the Jammu and Kashmir issue. He reiterated Pakistan’s support for Northern Cyprus and solidarity with Turkiye. Sharif acknowledged Turkiye’s steadfast support during challenging times such as floods and earthquakes, praising the compassion and generosity underlying the enduring partnership. He expressed confidence that the fraternal ties between the two nations would continue to strengthen, emphasizing that President Erdogan’s visit has elevated bilateral relations.
The Prime Minister discussed the wide range of topics covered during the meeting, from trade and investment to strategic and defense cooperation. He underscored the importance of the agreements and MOUs signed, including the announcement of a Special Economic Zone to be developed by Turkish firms for industrial production. Sharif assured that these agreements would be diligently pursued to ensure their realization.
Following the meetings, Prime Minister Sharif hosted a luncheon in honor of President Erdogan and his delegation.