ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The Bilateral Political Consultations between Pakistan and Turkey was held at the Foreign Office in Islamabad on Tuesday.
The Pakistan side was led by the Foreign Secretary Sohail Mahmood while the Turkish delegation was led by the Deputy Foreign Minister Sedat Önal.
Extending a warm welcome to the Deputy Foreign Minister Önal, the foreign secretary noted that the long-standing fraternal relations between Pakistan and Turkey were exemplary, marked by mutual trust, commonality of views, and close cooperation on the whole range of bilateral, regional, and international issues.
During the consultations, both sides reviewed the entire spectrum of bilateral relations as well as opportunities to further strengthen cooperation in diverse areas including trade, investments, and economic cooperation.
In the context of Pakistan’s focus on geo-economics, the foreign secretary emphasized the central pillars of peace, development partnerships, and connectivity.
The two sides exchanged views on the ongoing preparations for the 7th Session of the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council (HLSCC) and the implementation of the Strategic Economic Framework (SEF) that was signed between the two countries in February 2020.
It was noted with satisfaction that the Joint Working Groups (JWGs) under the HLSCC held their meetings in preparation for the HLSCC.
Views were exchanged on regional issues, with a particular focus on the situation in Afghanistan.
The Foreign Secretary Sohail Mahmood emphasized the urgent need for scaled-up humanitarian assistance and measures for stabilization of Afghanistan’s economy, adding that the release of its frozen assets would provide impetus to long-term sustainable development for the Afghan people.
The foreign secretary reaffirmed that Pakistan would continue to provide humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan, underlining that sustained practical engagement with Afghanistan was key to advance the shared objectives of a peaceful and stable Afghanistan.
Sohail Mahmood also briefed the Turkish side on the continuing grave human rights violations in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) and thanked Turkey for its consistent and principled support on the Jammu and Kashmir dispute.
The two sides expressed satisfaction on close cooperation at the multilateral fora including the United Nations, Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), and D-8, and reaffirmed their resolve to continue collaboration on global and regional issues of mutual interest.
Pakistan and Turkey will be marking the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations this year.
In view of close fraternal ties between the two Countries, it was agreed to celebrate this important milestone in a befitting manner.
The next round of Pakistan-Turkey Bilateral Political Consultations will be held in Turkey on dates to be determined through the diplomatic channels.
