The two foreign ministers met at the 9th Ministerial Conference of the Heart of the Asia – Istanbul Process in Dushanbe, Tajikistan
Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu met at the 9th Ministerial Conference of the Heart of the Asia – Istanbul Process in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. Several issues of mutual interest including political and diplomatic engagement, economic cooperation, defense ties, and collaboration in education and cultural fields were discussed by both sides.
Qureshi reiterated the importance of Turkish support for the Kashmir cause and the people of the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). The two sides also conversed about the current situation in Afghanistan and the ongoing peace process. Qureshi apprised his Turkish counterpart of Pakistan’s role in the recent development in the peace process.
The foreign minister also discussed the potential spoilers in the peace process and how all sides should avoid violence. Despite peace deals between the Taliban and the U.S. as well as the peace process between the former and the Afghan government, there has been considerable violence destabilizing the country.
Qureshi termed the meeting as very constructive and mentioned that Turkey initiated Istanbul Process during 2011 which had been gaining significance with the passage of time. Qureshi also met officials from a number of other countries while attending the conference.