Ties with Turkey

Given the dynamics in the region, it would be unsurprising if more significant cooperation were to remain under wraps

As regional ties between several countries undergo a sea change, it was refreshing to learn that Pakistan and Turkey are strengthening their longstanding relationship. The recently-signed bilateral economic agreement comes after several visits by Turkish leaders to Pakistan and vice versa. The economic deal covers 71 items, and although trade volume admittedly remains low — about $800 million — the agreement is also expected to significantly increase trade volume. Under the earlier bilateral strategic framework, Turkish investment in Pakistan is also expected to increase significantly. With over 100 Turkish companies already operating in Pakistan, the recent moves could help further link Pakistan to an economy that is generally on the up.

And before the ink on the new deal got dried, we learned that another “High-level Strategic Council” is on the horizon, reflecting the increasingly close ties between the two longstanding allies. Defence ties are also improving, and it is notable that the Turkish foreign minister brought this up in the presence of the Azerbaijani FM. Azerbaijan is another close Turkish ally and recently claimed victory in a protracted war with Armenia. Pakistan has also seen cooperation with Baku increase in recent years, partly due to both countries’ close ties with Turkey.

The close ties may also have another unifying factor — albeit an odd one which is the fact that all three countries are involved in longstanding territorial disputes. For Pakistan, it is the Kashmir issue. For Turkey, it is the Northern Cyprus dispute with Greece and Cyprus. For Azerbaijan, it is the Nagorno-Karabakh dispute with Armenia. Each country has consistently supported the others’ positions in these disputes, even at the press conference earlier this week. This is also why several analysts believe that some aspects of the improvements in ties may not have made it to the public statements issued jointly and individually by the three countries. The formal — rather bland — statement issued referred broadly to climate change, Covid-19, education, and culture as other areas of cooperation.

But given the changing dynamics in the region, it would be unsurprising if more significant cooperation were to remain under wraps, at least temporarily.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 15^th, 2021.

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