Pakistan and Turkey foreign ministers meet in Islamabad to deepen ties in diverse fields
Pakistan and Turkey officials agreed to deepen cooperation in diverse fields with focus on improving trade ties and defense collaboration.
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu in his meetings with Prime Minister Imran Khan and Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi urged to expand the Pakistan-Turkey bilateral trade up to its true potential.
FM Cavusoglu also encouraged Turkish businesses to invest in Pakistan where nearly 100 Turkish companies are already working. “Pakistan has a unique place in our hearts and we support each other particularly in difficult times” as during the COVID-19 pandemic, he said.
FM Cavuşoglu stated that Pakistan was our second home, that we would further our excellent relations. He was awarded Pakistan’s highest civilian “Hilal-e-Pakistan” by President Dr Arif Alvi which he said he would proudly carry to Turkey.
Key focus
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu’s recent visit focused on:
- 71-point Strategic Economic Framework (SEF) for deeper cooperation between the two countries in diverse fields.
- Develop Pakistan-Turkey cooperation in defense industry.
- Trilateral Meeting of Turkey-Pakistan-Azerbaijan Foreign Ministers.
Meeting with FM Qureshi
Pakistan Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu exchangd views on bilateral, regional and global issues.
They agreed to ensure timely implementation of decisions, taken during the last session of High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council (HLSCC) and build a stronger economic partnership, including by realizing the vision in the Strategic Economic Framework (SEF).
The two foreign ministers agreed to maintain close contact and further solidify the fraternal and strategic Pakistan-Turkey relationship. FM Qureshi thanked Turkey’s firm support to Pakistan on the core issue of Jammu and Kashmir and briefed his Turkish counterpart on the grave human rights situation in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu & Kashmir (IIOJ&K).
Education MoU signed
Turkish FM signed the Memorandum of Understanding on the activities of Maarif Foundation with Pakistan’s Education Minister Shafqat Mahmood and later paid a visit to Pak-Turk Maarif Schools Campus of Islamabad.
Visit to Karachi
On the second day of his visit, the Turkish foreign minister visited the Mausoleum of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammed Ali Jinnah and described him as “one of the chief architects of Turkey-Pakistan friendship.” Later, he met with Governor Sindh Imran Ismail, and thanked him for his support to the construction of our Consulate compound in Karachi.
In Karachi, he also met Sindh Chief Minister Murad Al Shah and stated that Karachi, the economic heart of Pakistan, was the gateway to Turkish investments in Pakistan.
Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu inaugurated Turkey’s new consulate building in Karachi which he termed “symbol of Turkey-Pakistan friendship.” He said the Turkish Consulate in Karachi will continue to play its role in enhancing the commercial value of the port city.