Share this story!            

Pakistan key for global stability: Erdogan

* Turkish PM assures Pakistan of full support in overcoming problems
* Pakistan, Turkey can solve region’s issues
* All countries must fulfil pledges made at Tokyo donors’ conference

By Irfan Ghauri

ISLAMABAD: Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan assured Pakistanis on Monday that the people of Turkey support them in their campaign against terrorism and extremism, and said his country has always called for redressing issues confronting Pakistan, as “it is a key country for regional and global stability”.

Addressing a joint sitting of parliament – where he was warmly greeted by members of the Upper and Lower Houses – the Turkish prime minister vowed to closely work with Pakistan to overcome problems and bring peace and stability to the region.

Erdogan said Pakistan was a key country at the juncture of South, Central and West Asia. He said he was confident that the country would prevail in its struggle against terrorism, “which is an enemy of humanity”. He said that Pakistan was not alone in the campaign against terrorism and extremism, as the people and government of Turkey stood by the people of Pakistan and were ready to help Pakistan address its needs.

Erdogan called on other countries to fulfil commitments made at a donors’ conference in Tokyo earlier this year.

The prime minister said Turkey and Pakistan were two “strong states”, and by “further strengthening our cooperation ... we can overcome the problems being faced by the region”.

He said both countries would try to improve economic and trade ties, and increase trade volume to $2 billion by the end of 2012.

He also praised Pakistani efforts to solve the Afghan problem and strengthen Pak-Afghan relations in collaboration with Turkey.

Home | Main

Share this story!