First official visit: Turkey an ‘inspiring example’ for the world: Khar
Foreign ministers agree upon strengthening bilateral relations.
ANKARA:
Pakistani Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar and Turkish leaders agreed upon further strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries.
Khar stressed that Turkey was not only an “inspiring example” for the region, but also for the world. “Your experience and your democracy should serve as examples to everyone,” Khar said following meetings with Turkish President Abdullah Gül, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and her counterpart, Ahmet Davutoglu on Friday.
Asked about why Turkey was chosen as her destination for her first official visit abroad, she gave an example that illustrated extent of her country’s confidence in Turkey.
“When I went out to the areas hit by recent floods, I saw numerous tents in which health assistance was being provided, set up by various countries, including European ones.
Hundreds of people were waiting in front of one tent in particular, while only a few waited in line for the other.” Upon enquiring why that was so, she was given a simple reply. “They said the longest line was for the Turkish tent. “If our arms do not have to be amputated, our Turkish brothers will not do it,” they told me. Pakistanis have incredible faith in Turkey.”
Published in The Express Tribune, August 13th, 2011.
Pakistani Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar and Turkish leaders agreed upon further strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries.
Khar stressed that Turkey was not only an “inspiring example” for the region, but also for the world. “Your experience and your democracy should serve as examples to everyone,” Khar said following meetings with Turkish President Abdullah Gül, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and her counterpart, Ahmet Davutoglu on Friday.
Asked about why Turkey was chosen as her destination for her first official visit abroad, she gave an example that illustrated extent of her country’s confidence in Turkey.
“When I went out to the areas hit by recent floods, I saw numerous tents in which health assistance was being provided, set up by various countries, including European ones.
Hundreds of people were waiting in front of one tent in particular, while only a few waited in line for the other.” Upon enquiring why that was so, she was given a simple reply. “They said the longest line was for the Turkish tent. “If our arms do not have to be amputated, our Turkish brothers will not do it,” they told me. Pakistanis have incredible faith in Turkey.”
Published in The Express Tribune, August 13th, 2011.