Shehbaz, Erdogan emphasise importance of utilising ‘window of opportunity’ for lasting regional peace

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday held a bilateral meeting with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkiye on the sidelines of the 5th Antalya Diplomacy Forum, his office said.

The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Information Minister Ataullah Tarar, and senior officials from both countries, including Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan.

During the cordial discussion, President Erdogan welcomed Prime Minister Sharif and commended Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts for regional peace.

The prime minister thanked Turkiye for its hospitality and congratulated the Turkish President on the success of the forum, highlighting its importance as a global diplomatic platform.

Earlier, PM Shehbaz held informal meetings with several world leaders at the forum, including, Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani of Qatar, President Qasym-Jomart Tokayev of Kazakhstan, President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan, and President Ahmad Al-Sharh of Syria. He also met Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and former Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani.

These discussions, conducted in a warm and productive atmosphere, focused on global and regional developments, with Pakistan positioned as a key interlocutor.

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In his bilateral meeting with President Erdogan, the Prime Minister shared updates on Pakistan’s efforts to extend ceasefire agreements and resume peace talks in the Middle East. Both leaders stressed the importance of effectively utilising the current window of opportunity to advance a durable and lasting regional peace.

Reaffirming the deep-rooted, historic, and brotherly ties between Pakistan and Turkiye, the leaders expressed satisfaction with the trajectory of bilateral relations.

They agreed to convene the 8th High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council (HLSCC) meeting in Ankara later this year and highlighted the need to expedite ongoing initiatives while exploring new avenues for economic cooperation.

PM Shehbaz also participated in a trilateral meeting with President Erdogan and Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani of Qatar.

The three leaders exchanged views on recent regional developments and ongoing peace efforts, including the concerning situation in Gaza and Palestine. They agreed to continue close cooperation to further advance dialogue and diplomacy for lasting regional peace and stability.