In a significant meeting held in Ankara on Tuesday, Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan passionately reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing bilateral relations between their nations and working collaboratively to tackle global challenges.
At a joint press conference, President Erdogan emphatically voiced Turkey’s unwavering support for Pakistan’s relentless efforts to eradicate terrorism and lauded Islamabad’s unwavering stance on the Palestinian issue. He highlighted Pakistan as one of the countries that responded ‘most strongly’ to the atrocities in Gaza.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in his heartfelt speech, expressed profound gratitude to Turkey for its steadfast cooperation in counter-terrorism efforts. He revealed that both countries had agreed to collaborate in a multitude of sectors, such as energy, mining, minerals, and information technology, and to embark on joint projects.
Shehbaz commenced his two-day official visit to Turkey with immense enthusiasm. Upon arrival, he promptly engaged in discussions with President Erdogan, delving into bilateral, regional, and international matters, as detailed in a press release from the Prime Minister’s Office Media Wing in Islamabad.
Following their comprehensive talks, the two leaders addressed the press with great emphasis on the resonance of their views on global issues. ‘We are pleased to see that we act in harmony on almost every issue,’ Erdogan exclaimed during the lively joint news conference.
In an impassioned speech, he celebrated the unyielding resolve shown by both nations in their fight against terrorism. “Pakistan remains steadfast in its mission to obliterate terrorism,” Erdogan declared confidently to the media, reaffirming Turkiye’s unwavering support for Pakistan’s battle against this scourge.
Erdogan further lauded Pakistan’s proactive role in advancing peace in Gaza, describing it as one of the most vocal nations against the ongoing genocide. “Our collaboration will persist in our shared pursuit of establishing an independent and sovereign Palestinian state,” he vowed.
Prime Minister Shehbaz passionately called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza while condemning the tragic loss of 50,000 innocent lives. He earnestly thanked Turkey for its steadfast support on the Kashmir conflict and expressed solidarity on the Cyprus issue, stating, “We firmly back Turkey’s stance.” Shehbaz emphasized that both countries had concurred to embark on joint ventures across various domains.
Erdogan highlighted Turkiye’s interest in collaborative endeavors in the defense sector, celebrating the robust camaraderie between the nations. In earlier discussions, both delegations highlighted their enduring brotherly bonds and reiterated their mutually strong commitment to deepening their cooperative ties across multiple fields, the Prime Minister Office’s statement revealed. The prime minister stressed the pivotal role of economic cooperation through joint ventures and bilateral investments.
The statement further noted that Shehbaz recognized the immense potential for collaboration in energy and mining sectors.
Prime Minister Shehbaz and President Erdogan also discussed regional and global matters and reaffirmed their support to each other on issues of national interest. They reiterated their commitment to strengthening the bilateral strategic partnership to foster peace and prosperity in the region.
The Pakistan delegation included Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Information Minister Ataullah Tarar, Special Assistant to Prime Minister Tariq Fatemi and Pakistan’s Ambassador to Turkiye Dr Yusuf Junaid. Later, Erdogan hosted a banquet in honour of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.