Daily Times

New York: Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi met Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday on the sidelines of the UNGA Session in New York. The two leaders had in-depth exchange of views about the strengthening of bilateral relations. They also reviewed regional peace and security situation.

The PM said that Pakistan-Turkey relations are based on common faith, values, culture, history, mutual trust and support. Linkages between the people of the two countries had transformed into a strategic partnership that is strengthening with each passing day, the PM said.

Appreciating the regular high-level exchanges between the two countries and the institutional interaction through the high-level Strategic Cooperation Council, both the leaders expressed satisfaction over deepening of cooperation through political, defence, trade and investment exchanges. The two leaders emphasised that the two countries should continue to attach special focus on enhancing economic cooperation and work together for early finalisation of the Free Trade Agreement for boosting the bilateral trade.

The PM said that Pakistan and Turkey extended support to each other on the issues of their vital national interests. He thanked the Turkish president for Turkey’s unflinching support to the struggle of the people of Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

President Erdogan appreciated the strengthening of the bilateral relations through concrete cooperation in various fields and the commonality of views between the two countries on key international and regional issues. He reaffirmed Turkey’s commitment for continued endeavours for strengthening of the mutually beneficial strategic partnership.

The two leaders also exchanged views on the regional situation. On the efforts for peace and stability in Afghanistan, they agreed that there was no military solution of the Afghan conflict and the efforts should continue for a regional approach for an internal political settlement in Afghanistan through an Afghan-owned afghan-led peace process. Both the leaders agreed on the revival of the Pakistan-Afghanistan-Turkey Trilateral process for promoting lasting peace and stability in Afghanistan.

Discussing the plight of Rohingya Muslims, President Erdogan and Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi urged the international community and the OIC to take urgent measures to alleviate the suffering of these people.

General Electric VP: John Rice, the vice president of General Electric (GE), called on Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi in New York on Tuesday.

John Rice said that Pakistan was an important market for General Electric. “We are committed to expanding our business in Pakistan,” he said. He particularly expressed his desire for investment in locomotives fabrication and health sector system delivery.

Appreciating the long association of General Electric with Pakistan, the PM said that Pakistan had been benefitting immensely from the expertise of the company.

Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said that Pakistan was open to investment by foreign companies.

We are looking forward for more American companies to invest in diverse fields in Pakistan, the PM said.

Earlier, Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi arrived in New York on Monday to participate in the 72nd UN General Assembly Session.

The PM, who arrived on a special plane in New York, was received by Permanent Representative to the UN Dr Maleeha Lodhi, Pakistan Ambassador to the US Aizaz Chaudhry and senior officials.

Published in Daily Times, September 20^th 2017.