ANKARA: Pakistan and Turkey on Friday reiterated their determination to continue extending strong mutual support to one another on all issues of core national interest, read a joint statement on Prime Minister Imran Khan's visit to Turkey.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Prime Minister Imran Khan held a tete-a-tete meeting followed by delegation level talks on Friday.
Having exchanged views on the entire spectrum of Turkey-Pakistan bilateral "heart-to-heart" relationship as well as on issues of regional and international importance, the two leaders re-affirmed that the unparalleled fraternal relations between the peoples and the governments of the two countries date back to centuries and are embedded in a common cultural and religious heritage, as well as a shared vision for the future, based on complete mutual understanding and trust.
They noted with great satisfaction that the relationship between the two brotherly countries has over the years transformed into a strong strategic partnership in all areas of mutual interest that has withstood the tests of time.
PM Khan and President Erdogan expressed their commitment to further enhance their bilateral relations in every field to the benefit of their peoples, and reiterated the importance of the Turkey-Pakistan High Level Strategic Cooperation Council mechanism that also includes several working groups in further strengthening bilateral relations.
Noting their ever-expanding defense and defense industry cooperation, they expressed resolve to further strengthening the existing economic, trade and commercial relations between the two countries, and agreed to initiate mechanisms for collaboration in health and agriculture sectors.
The two leaders decided to further enhance people-to-people contacts through increased exchanges and cooperation in education, culture, tourism and youth fields, and underlined their abiding commitment to fight the menace of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.
They also reiterated their resolve to fight against the Fethullah Gulen Terrorist Organization.
Khan and Erdogan expressed satisfaction at the ongoing cooperation between the two countries at the multilateral forums including the United Nations, Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Economic Cooperation Organization, Developing 8 Countries, and other relevant forums.
They reaffirmed their commitment for achieving and sustaining peace, security and stability in their respective regions as well as internationally.
The meeting underscored the need for resolution of the issue of Jammu and Kashmir through a sustained dialogue process and in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions.
It recognized the Turkish support for Pakistan's membership in the Nuclear Suppliers' Group (NSG) based on non-discriminatory criteria, and reaffirmed that Pakistan's adherence to the NSG Guidelines and participation in the NSG would strengthen the global non-proliferation objectives.
Further, the two leaders acknowledged that sustainable peace and stability in Afghanistan could be achieved through reconciliation of all segments of the Afghan society with the support of regional states and international community.
They reiterated their full and resolute support to the efforts for the comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus issue on the basis of the political equality of the two communities on the Island, with a view to building peace and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Khan and Erdogan emphasised the centrality of the cause of Palestine, rejected any attempt to alter the legal status and historical character of Al Quds, and called on the international community to increase their support to the Palestinian people in realising their quest for the establishment of an independent, sovereign and contiguous State of Palestine on the basis of the borders of 1967 with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.
They further agreed to increase collaboration to uphold the true values of Islam at the international forums as well as to work closely against any attempts to malign, distort or vilify the historical image of Islam, its revered personalities, and its fundamental beliefs, and expressed their strong resolve to further increase the frequency of bilateral contacts at the highest level.
The two figures reiterated their determination to continue taking steps in all areas of mutual interest for mutual peace and prosperity, especially by transforming the historic Turkey-Pakistan relationship into an increasingly stronger trade, investment and economic relationship for the benefit of the peoples of the two countries.
The meeting decided to convene the 6th Session of the Turkey-Pakistan High Level Strategic Cooperation Council in Pakistan at mutually convenient dates for further discussion on these areas.
Earlier in the day, PM Khan addressed a delegation of Turkey-Pakistan Business Council of Foreign Economic Relations Board of Turkey (DEIK) in Ankara.
Prime Minister Imran Khan said his government’s primary concern is to lift people out of poverty and create wealth in the country.
He said that due to corruption the progress of the country slackened. The premier reminded the audience about Pakistan being one of the fastest-growing economies in Asia in the 1960s.
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“However, we went wrong in the 1970s, because of our socialist mindset [during that time] which actually became a deterrent and [hindered] profit-making. Nationalisation took place. Some of our [big] industries were nationalised. We went backwards,” he lamented.
Prime Minister Imran said his government’s primary concern is to lift people out of poverty and create wealth in the country. Citing China’s example, he said there was no other country that had lifted 700 million people out of poverty in 30 years.
“They [China] allowed wealth creation and they had specific programmes to achieve it,” he noted.
“Our government has a policy. We feel that wealth creation is going to take Pakistan out of economic crisis, to erase poverty,” the premier added.
Earlier today, a delegation of Turkish investors in agri-based industry led by Turkish Minister for Agriculture and Forestry Bekir Pakdemirli called on Prime Minister Imran.
Prospects of collaboration in food processing, dairy sector and food chain management were discussed during the meeting.
The prime minister is on his first official visit to Turkey since assuming office, at the invitation of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.