Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: Turkey on Friday assured Pakistan of all-out support in finding a peaceful solution to Kashmir issue,

“It is a Turkey’s wish that the Kashmir issue – involving India and Pakistan – gets resolved in a peaceful manner,” Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu told a joint press conference after formal talks with his Pakistani counterpart Shah Mehmood Qureshi.

“In the group that has been formed on Kashmir at the UN, we will stand by Pakistan and try to make its endeavours successful,” he said, and added that his country would back Pakistan’s stance at every forum.

During the talks that lasted for two hours, both sides expressed a strong determination to make collective efforts in confronting Islamophobia and other attempts to malign or distort the great message of peace and respect for humanity imbibed in the Holy Quran and repeatedly demonstrated in the life of Holy Prophet (PBUH).

“There is propaganda against Islam in Europe. We ran an effective campaign against the Netherlands caricatures contest, and thank God they shut it down,” Cavusoglu maintained.

Pakistan’s membership for the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) – a group that seeks to prevent nuclear proliferation – also came under discussion. The Turkish foreign minister assured that Pakistan’s bid for the membership would be fully supported.

Besides, current situation in the Muslim world in general, and Afghanistan, Iran and Kashmir in particular, was also discussed during the talks.

Commenting on the formation of new government in Pakistan, the foreign minister said: “Governments and people come and go, but real friendship cannot end.”

Both countries agreed to convene the next meeting of strategic council in Pakistan for which dates are being finalised.

On trade and commercial cooperation between the two countries, Cavusoglu said that Turkish companies would invest in Pakistan. He also underlined the importance of economic and military cooperation between Pakistan and Turkey.

The minister said that Pakistan and Turkey had suffered the most in the war against terrorism, and added that both countries would continue to cooperate with each other in fighting the menace jointly.

Recalling the failed military coup in 2016, he said that Turkey would never forget Pakistan and its people’s support.

Cavusoglu said that Pakistan would always have a special significance in Turkish foreign policy. He lauded Pakistan’s successful and strong action to subdue and defeat the menace of extremism and terrorism.

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Qureshi said that the inseparable bonds of common faith, history and culture between the two countries had been reinforced by mutual trust and a sense of inter-dependence on critical issues. “The strength of Pakistan-Turkey relationship is not relative to time, situation or individual choices. It is a relationship anchored in affection and solidarity among the people of the two nations,” Qureshi said.

Qureshi to hold important talks in Kabul today —A12

Both foreign ministers held a one-on-one meeting followed by delegation-level talks in which senior officials from both sides were present. Qureshi noted that regular exchange of high-level visits and presence of a number of institutional frameworks under the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council (HLSCC) was indicative of the close bilateral ties maintained at various levels. The Turkish foreign minister also conveyed the best wishes of President Erdogan and congratulated Qureshi on his appointment as the foreign minister of Pakistan.

Turkish FM calls on PM Imran

Turkish Foreign Minister Cavusoglu called on Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday.

During the meeting, the prime minister said Pakistan and Turkey had the required potential to forge an even stronger partnership in future. Both the countries have always stood beside each other and will continue to do so, the prime minister said. Cavusoglu reiterated Turkey’s full support to Pakistan government’s future plans to take the country on a rapid course of economic progress.

Ideas covering promotion of bilateral trade and Turkish investment in various sectors including energy sector of Pakistan were also discussed. Both sides reiterated their commitment to continue working closely in various multilateral and international forums, including the United Nations and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.

President Alvi for boosting trade ties with Turkey

Cavusoglu also met President of Pakistan Dr Arif Alvi at the Presidency. The president stressed the need to enhance bilateral trade ties for the benefit of the people of two countries.

Alvi said that relations between the two countries were unique and based on shared values, history, commonality of interests and shared views on wide range of issues. “We hope to host Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan soon in Pakistan.”

Cavusoglu congratulated the president on his assumption of office and conveyed the good wishes of the leadership and the people of Turkey for the newly elected government of Pakistan. He also invited President Dr Arif Alvi to visit Turkey at his earliest convenience.

Cavusoglu discusses regional security with COAS

Cavusoglu also called on Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa at the General Headquarters (GHQ).

Focus of the discussion remained on Pakistan and Turkey relations, regional security, including evolving situation in the Middle East, management of defence and security cooperation between both the countries. The Turkish foreign minister acknowledged and appreciated Pakistan’s contributions for conflict prevention in the region and also pledged to keep working for better relations between the two countries.

Foreign ministers of Pakistan, India to meet in US on 27th —A12

Published in Daily Times, September 15^th 2018.