Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Turkey on Tuesday agreed to enhance and deepen the defence and military relations, resolving to cooperate against terrorism and extremism in all forms.

This agreement was made during the meetings of General Salih Zeki Colak, Commander of the Turkish Land Forces, with Federal Minister for Defence Khawaja Asif and, Army Chief General Raheel Sharif here at Rawalpindi and Islamabad.

According to Defence Ministry spokesman, Minister for Defence Khawaja Asif appreciated the exemplary and historic brotherly relations between Pakistan and Turkey. He expressed Pakistan’s strong desire to deepen, broaden and strengthen Pak-Turkey relations in the field of defence. Both leaders discussed issue of mutual interest to include extremism, terrorism and flow of refugees across the borders. They also shared the resolve to co-operate with each other in order to effectively face challenges. Defence Minister also apprised the Turkish General on Pakistan’s success in operation Zarb-e-Azb and National Action Plan.

The minister valued the cooperation from the Turkish side in the provision of Trainer-37 aircraft to Pakistan on gratis basis. Moreover, the minister offered sale of Super Mushak aircraft with the Turkish specifications. In the meeting, the minister expressed satisfaction over the successful holding of the 11th Round of high level Military Dialogue Group meeting in Ankara in Oct-2015. He thanked the Turkish Navy for their participation in the exercise, AMAN-13.

The Turkish Navy was also invited to participate in AMAN-17 exercise scheduled in February 2017. The minister appreciated the democratic initiatives of President Recep

Tayyip Erdogan, the success Turkey had crushing an uprising on its borders, its role in Syria and Turkey’s participation in trilateral process on Afghanistan as Pakistan gears its efforts for a peaceful and stable Afghanistan.

He pointed out that both countries cooperate closely at the regional and multinational forums through the platforms of UN, OIC and ECO. The Minister invited the Turkish delegation for IDEAS-2016 to be held at Karachi from 22- 25 Nov-2016. He extended thanks for the generous support of Turkey to Pakistan during national calamities.

According to ISPR, General Salih met with COAS General Raheel Sharif at GHQ Rawalpindi. Both discussed the bilateral issues to enhance the cooperation in the defence and security areas. Regional stability and professional matters also came under discussion. The Turkish general was briefed on Pakistan army training and intelligence affairs in details. General Salih appreciated the role of Pakistan army in the war against terrorism and said Turkey stood with pakistan for regional stability and counter terrorism.

The Turkish army chief paid homage to the martyrs of the Pakistan army and laid wreaths on Yadgar e Shohuda as well.