ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Turkey have reaffirmed the strategic dimension of bilateral relations as Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and Prime Minister Binali Yildrim, co-chaired the 5th Session of the Pakistan-Turkey Strategic Cooperation Council (HLSCC) in Ankara.
Established in 2009, the Pakistan-Turkey High Level Cooperation Council (HLSCC) serves as a framework for consultations at the highest political level between the two sides, and consists of six Joint Working Groups (JWGs) in the areas of energy; trade; banking & finance; education; communications & railways; and culture and tourism. So far 60 Agreements/MoUs have been signed under the HLSCC framework in various areas. According to foreign office spokesman, the deliberations covered the entire gamut of Turkey-Pakistan bilateral relations and exchange of views on regional and international issues. Specifically, the two sides reviewed progress on issues relating to the six Joint Working Groups under HLSCC and expressed satisfaction at the significant progress achieved under the mechanism.
The two countries agreed to prioritize cooperation in the energy sector, including in the field of renewable energy; increase bilateral trade and investment; enhance collaboration in the banking & finance sectors; benefit from mutual expertise in the area of education and promote cooperation between the higher education institutions; reinforce the ongoing collaboration in the fields of communications and railways; and promote culture and tourism through increased people-to-people contacts.
He said, the two sides also agreed to expeditiously complete the work on developing a comprehensive, long-term and forward-looking framework for defence cooperation and enhance partnership between the defence industries of the two countries. They also expressed satisfaction at their existing close cooperation at regional and multi-lateral fora, including on United Nations Security Council reform process and issues pertaining to global non-proliferation agenda.
The Joint Declaration on Turkey-Pakistan Strategic Relationship for Peace and Prosperity issued at the end of the meeting inter alia condemned in the strongest possible terms the recent terrorist attacks in Pakistan and Turkey; expressed firm resolve to fight the common threats faced by both countries; reaffirmed mutual support on issues of core national interest; and agreed to intensify collaboration in diverse fields. The Prime Minister at a joint press conference with his Turkish counterpart, reiterated Pakistan’s strong condemnation of the 15th July 2016 coup-attempt in Turkey and paid homage to the sacrifices and resilience of the Turkish people in defence of the Turkish democracy. He thanked President Erdogan for Turkey’s unequivocal and firm support for the just resolution of the Jammu & Kashmir dispute in accordance with the wishes and aspirations of the Kashmiri people and relevant UN Security Council resolutions. The Prime Minister emphasized that enhancing economic relations between the two countries remained a core priority and expressed the hope that the remaining technicalities with respect to the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) would be completed soon. He reiterated Pakistan’s firm and resolute determination to fight the common threat posed by terrorism and to root out the menace. Issues pertaining to regional and international situation also came under discussion during the meeting.—INP
