Turkey and Pakistan agreed to further advance bilateral ties, including efforts for peace and stability in the region.
In an official visit, Turkey’s defense minister Hulusi Akar met with Pakistan’s authorities to discuss a number of regional and bilateral issues.
Akar called on Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan on Aug. 11 to discuss various issues, including Ankara’s ongoing efforts for a political solution in Afghanistan.
Imran Khan emphasized that a negotiated political settlement was the only way forward. He expressed hope that the Afghan leaders would recognize “the importance of international convergence on the way forward and achieve an inclusive broad based and comprehensive political settlement.”
Prime Minister Imran Khan said Pakistan will continue to make “every effort to help advance the Afghan peace process and to realize a political solution.”
The Prime Minister highlighted that the historic fraternal ties between Pakistan and Turkey are “marked by unique mutual trust and mutual support.”
He expressed satisfaction at the existing level of bilateral defense cooperation. Prime Minister Imran Khan also thanked for Turkey’s strong and consistent support to Pakistan on all issues, particularly the Jammu and Kashmir dispute.
Imran Khan conveyed his greetings for Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and the brotherly Turkish people.
The Turkish defense minister also conveyed warm greetings from President Erdoğan and reiterated Turkey’s support to Pakistan “on all issues, including Jammu and Kashmir.”
Turkish Defense Minister calls on COAS Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa
Earlier Hulusi Akar called on the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa on August 10, according to a press release issued by the ISPR.
During the meeting, matters of mutual interest including defense & security cooperation between both the countries and the overall regional security situation especially the Afghan Peace Process were discussed, according to the statement.
Both Bajwa and Akar reiterated the desire to further enhance bilateral relations including efforts for peace and stability in the region.
The visiting delegation reaffirmed Turkey’s full support to Pakistan’s stance on regional and international issues.