Pakistan, Turkey vow to expand cooperation for regional progress

ISTANBUL: Pakistan and Turkey on Tuesday vowed to further expand their strong, friendly and brotherly ties to play more active and pivotal role in peace, progress and stability in the region and for the welfare of the people of two countries.

During the bilateral talks held here Tuesday, starting with a one-on-one meeting between President Asif Ali Zardari and his Turkish counterpart Abdullah Gul, and later at the delegate-level, both the countries agreed to enhance their cooperation in trade, economic, education, communication, transportation and other fields.

Both the Presidents held one-on-one meeting for half an hour and later were joined by the members of their respective delegations.

This was the second meeting between the two Presidents in two days, the last one held on Monday that had lasted for two hours.

Pakistan's side included Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar, Defence Minister Ahmed Mukhtar, Interior Minister Rehman Malik, Governor State Bank Yaseen Anwar, Chairman Board of Investment Salim H. Mandviwala, Secretary General to President Salman Farooqui and Spokesperson to President Farhatullah Babar. Pakistan's ambassador to Turkey Muhammad Haroon Shaukat and other officials.

The Turkish President was assisted by Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu and other officials.

Both the sides discussed all aspects to further improve bilateral relations in different fields.

During their wide-ranging talks, they expressed their desire to diverse relations between the two countries for mutual benefit.

Spokesperson to President Farhatullah Babar giving details of the bilateral talks said President Zardari emphasized that special relations between the two countries should be sustained by more parliamentary exchanges and people-to-people contacts.

He said President thanked Turkey for its support to Pakistan's candidature for UN Security Council and also during recent floods in Sindh.

During the bilateral talks, President Zardari said he was greatly encouraged by the successful outcome of the inaugural session of the High Level Cooperation Council (HLCC) and called for an effective follow-up for timely implementation of the decisions taken at its first session.

Farhatullah Babar quoted the President as saying that the level of bilateral trade and investment between the two countries remains far below the real potential and it should be further increased.

Both the countries agreed to remove trade barriers, ease visa restrictions and take steps to increase bilateral trade to two billion dollars in next years.

President Zardari urged that there is a need to fast track the conclusion of Pakistan-Turkey Preferrential Trade Agreement.

Both the presidents said it was an encouraging sign that private sectors are collaborating in the energy, construction, food processing and rubber industry.

They agreed that there should be further joint ventures and investment in key sectors such as infrastructure, engineering, energy, agriculture, telecommunications and mining.

President Zardari said Pakistan would welcome Turkish investment in hydro-power generation and alternative energy projects.

Regarding banking sector, Farhatullah Babar said both the countries agreed to open more branches of their banks in each other countries for the benefit of the business community.

The President said Pakistan was ready to implement ECO Trade Agreement (ECOTA) together with Turkey. Implementation of ECOTA is held up since last year awaiting submission of lists of tradable goods by some member countries.

He thanked President Abdullah Gul for his personal interest in the "Gul Train" project which would revolutionize cargo and transit facilities between the two countries.

Referring to cooperation in education, he said Pakistani universities are ready to establish "Techno-Parks" in Pakistan in collaboration with the Turkish universities.

He lauded Turkey's efforts to host the Istanbul Regional Conference.

Pakistan envisages this conference as a platform to express region's solidarity and support for Afghanistan.

The President extended invitation to the Turkish President to visit Pakistan.

The President also expressed grief over loss of precious lives and destruction of property in the recent earthquake in Turkey.

Copyright APP (Associated Press of Pakistan), 2011