Summary Both the sides have agreed to intensify cooperation in energy‚ trade and defence sectors.
ISLAMABAD (Web Desk) - Pakistan and Turkey have expressed their resolve to comprehensively upgrade bilateral relations across all areas of mutual interest with focus on economic and commercial aspects.
A joint statement issued at the conclusion of the visit of the Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan says the two sides desired to enhance cooperation in social sectors especially culture‚ education and tourism. They noted that improved cooperation in social sector fields will also serve as a vehicle for greater people to people relations between the two countries.
The two sides agreed to maintain active political consultative process as well as regular exchange of high level visits alongside visits of parliamentarians‚ businessmen‚ civil society and media representatives.
They also agreed to conclude Pakistan-Turkey Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) by the first half of next year.
Pakistan and Turkey will facilitate investments by the private sector in both countries. Pakistan would especially encourage Turkish private sector for investments in the key sectors of energy‚ especially coal‚ hydroelectric and wind‚ infrastructure including motorways‚ roads and airports‚ low-cost housing and urban development and municipal services like public transport and solid waste management.
They would encourage their respective state and private banks to open branches in Pakistan and Turkey.
They would also ensure regular operations of Istanbul-Islamabad Container train for enhanced on-land connectivity between the two countries.
The leadership of the two countries agreed to strengthen our existing cooperation and partnership in security and counter-terrorism related issues.
Pakistan and Turkey would further deepen their defence cooperation through exploring the possibility of joint defence production and allied Research and Development.
They resolved to learn from each other’s best practices in skill development and vocational training programs.
The two sides would enhance cooperation between educational institutions‚ and increase the number of scholarships to students to pursue undergraduate‚ graduate and post graduate level studies in both countries in the fields of engineering‚ technology‚ medicine and management sciences.
The two countries agreed to promote cooperation in tourism and preservation and restoration of historical and archaeological sites; and closely coordinate and consult each other bilaterally as well as multilaterally to promote regional peace and security.
Recep Tayyip Erdogan invited Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to visit Turkey hich was accepted.
Earlier, a press stake out along with his Turkish counterpart‚ Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif expressed the confidence that this economic framework will significantly contribute to trade facilitation between the two friendly Muslim countries.
He said both the sides have agreed to intensify cooperation in the sectors of energy‚ trade‚ urban and infrastructure development and housing.
PM Nawaz Sharif termed the Turkish Prime Minister s visit to Pakistan as a milestone in bilateral relations between the two countries.
He said the strong business delegation accompanying Prime Minister Erdoğan is an affirmation of the confidence that Turkish companies have in business opportunities in Pakistan.
Nawaz Sharif said we have just concluded a comprehensive review of our bilateral relations as well as regional and international issues of mutual concern. He said their discussions were marked by unanimity of views on all issues.
Nawaz Sharif said two sides have also signed a number of MoUs which includes making Islamabad-Tehran-Istanbul ECO Container train operative.
Regular operations of the train will harness greater economic integration between the region and beyond. He expressed the confidence that our interactions of today would further intensify the cooperative partnership between the two countries.
In his remarks‚ Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan said we are attaching great significance to bilateral visits in order to enhance cooperation in different fields. Our political relations with Pakistan are gaining strength to achieve the desired objectives.
He said we want to enhance cooperation with Pakistan in the areas of aviation‚ railways and maritime. We plan to open a new consulate in Lahore. These steps will help cement our relations in future.
Turkish Prime Minister said Turkey attaches great importance to high level bilateral visits and said these would further strengthen our relations in fields of common interest. He said Pakistan is our brother and deep ties exist between the two countries.
Pakistan and Turkey signed two MOUs in Islamabad today (Tuesday) for cooperation in different sectors. Prime Ministers of both the countries witnessed the signing ceremony.
Earlier‚ Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan held talks at the prime minister house in Islamabad. They discussed the entire gamut of bilateral relations with particular focus on promoting trade and economic cooperation.
On arrival at the Prime Minister House‚ a warm welcome was accorded to the visiting dignitary.
A formal welcome ceremony was held in honor of Turkish Prime Minister. On the occasion‚ anthems of both the countries were played.
A smartly turned out contingent of armed forces presented guard of honor to the visiting dignitary.
President Mamnoon Hussain will also host a luncheon in honour of the Turkish Prime Minister.
