ISLAMABAD: As the two nations got ready for their next high-level bilateral summit, Pakistan and Turkey on Monday announced their intention to increase yearly bilateral trade to $5 billion in addition to strengthening their defense cooperation.
Speaking at the Foreign Office during a meeting with visiting Turkish FM Hakan Fidan, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar stated that the two sides had decided to raise trade to $5 billion in three years.
Mr. Fidan emphasized the need for increased trade but pointed out that the volume of bilateral trade was only $1 billion annually at the time.
The two sides addressed particular preparations for the forthcoming 7th session of the Pakistan-Turkiye High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council and reviewed the status of bilateral relations during their discussion.
Speaking with the army head, Dar, and the PM, the visiting Turkish FM
Mr. Dar stated that the next meeting of the HLSCC, which Pakistan will host, would take place “very soon” although he did not provide a date. The top executives of both nations co-chair HLSCC meetings.
According to a statement from the Foreign Office, an agreement has been struck with Turkiye to enhance mutually beneficial cooperation in the areas of commerce, investment, defense, and security.
In his remarks to the media, Mr. Dar recapped the long history of defense cooperation and the assistance the two nations have provided to one another on important matters.
Turkiye’s “firm and consistent support” for the people of controlled Kashmir was much appreciated by him. Additionally, he reaffirmed Pakistan’s backing for the legitimate rights of the Northern Cyprus people.
During their conversation, the two ministers also discussed regional and international concerns, focusing in particular on the dire humanitarian situation and genocide in Gaza. They emphasized how urgently humanitarian aid must be provided to the struggling Palestinian people as well as the imperative of an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in Gaza.
They also reaffirmed that the establishment of an independent Palestinian state is a prerequisite for long-term peace in the Middle East.
The two leaders also discussed the growing problem of Islamophobia, emphasizing how urgent it is to solve it completely.
Turkish financial involvement
In the meantime, during his meeting with FM Fidan, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reiterated Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to advancing bilateral cooperation in all areas of shared interest, such as trade, investment, technology, and defense.
He emphasized that in order to reach the $5 billion bilateral trade target over the next three years, coordinated efforts must be made.
He extended an invitation to Turkish businesses to broaden their investment holdings in Pakistan. According to him, Turkish businesses can think about moving their manufacturing facilities to Pakistan.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was invited by Mr. Sharif to come to Pakistan early in order to co-chair the HLSCC’s seventh meeting.
According to the military’s media affairs division, Hakan Fidan also met Army Chief Gen. Asim Munir in the interim.
According to the ISPR, “both sides expressed their satisfaction with the deep-rooted relations between the two countries, founded on a historic, cultural, and religious bond.” Mr. Fidan also praised the Pakistan Army for its role in preserving regional peace and security.
