ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The visiting Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu has said that Turkey and Pakistan support each other in good days and difficult days, and that’s why Pakistan is first country he was visiting following coup attempt in Turkey.
In a joint press conference along with the Prime Minister’s advisor on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz in Islamabad on Tuesday after Pak-Turk Foreign Minister level bilateral consultation, the Turkish foreign minister thanked government and people of Pakistan for extending support and expressing solidarity in the wake of attempted coup in Turkey. He expressed pleasure that Pakistani nation and the Parliament expressed full solidarity with Turkey and democracy.
Mevlut Cavusoglu said that Turkish and Pakistani people know they can rely on each other during most difficult times.
The foreign minister said that Turkey is taking necessary legal measures against coup plotters and the terrorist organization headed by Fethullah Gulen. He said that the organization has a network of schools, businesses and cultural entities all over the world including Pakistan.
The Turkish foreign minister said that Turkey had been supporting these organizations in the past, as it did not know they were plotting to take over power in Turkey. He said that Turkey has full cooperation from Pakistan in addressing this problem.
The foreign minister of Turkey also categorically declared that his country would continue to support people of Jammu and Kashmir and Pakistani position on Kashmir dispute.
The Turkish foreign minister asked the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Secretary General to mobilize OIC Contact Group on Kashmir and send a fact-finding mission to the situation in Occupied Kashmir. He said that the dispute can only be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy and not through use of force.
The foreign minister said that the OIC Contact Group meet in New York on the sidelines of UN General Assembly session next month to take stock of the situation in Occupied Kashmir.
Mevlut Cavusoglu said that Pakistan and Turkey have also been cooperating in the process of reconciliation in Afghanistan.
In his remarks, the advisor said that Pakistan and Turkey are determined to deepen ties in diverse fields, and they have decided to further intensify engagement at all levels of relations to achieve this cherished goal.
The advisor said that early signing of Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the two countries would be an important milestone in bilateral relations. He said that Pak-Turk FTA is expected to be finalized during the next few weeks.
Sartaj Aziz reiterated Pakistan’s unequivocal support for a democratic, peaceful and stable Turkey under the dynamic leadership of President Tayyip Erdogan. He said that the government as well as people of Pakistan stand in unshakable solidarity with their Turkish brothers and sisters.
The foreign affairs advisor said that Pakistan side expressed condolences over loss of precious lives in the recent incidents of terrorism. He noted with satisfaction that both sides have agreed to continue to tackle the menace of terrorism and defeat the scourge.
The advisor said that during the bilateral consultation, two sides also exchanged views on situation in Afghanistan and the need for a lasting political solution which, he said, is crucial for sustained peace and security and stability in Afghanistan.
Sartaj Aziz said that Pakistan and Turkey share similar views on migration crisis and the plight of Syrian refugees. He said that both the countries host the largest refugee population in the world. They believe that developed countries need to be more forthcoming in addressing the migration crisis.
The advisor expressed the confidence that relations between Pakistan and Turkey would continue to grow from strength to strength to serve as a powerful factor for stability and prosperity in the region and beyond.
Earlier during the Pakistan-Turkey Foreign Minister level bilateral consultation, the two sides agreed to transform their warm relationship into a durable strategic and economic partnership.
