Turkish President Abdullah Gul awards Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif with the ‘Jumhuriyet Nishan’ during a ceremony in Ankara. PHOTO: AFP
Pakistan and Turkey agreed to increase cooperation in trade, energy, infrastructure development, security and other areas, as well as enhance efforts for peace in the region.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, addressing a joint press conference with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday, said ‘there was unanimity of views’ between the two sides on issues of bilateral and regional interest. Both the premiers co-chaired the third High-Level Cooperation Council (HLCC) meeting, which they described as ‘very productive’.
Prime Minister Nawaz said that his visit to Turkey, on the invitation of Prime Minister Erdogan, speaks volumes about the importance Pakistan gives to Turkey. On the strategic front, he expressed the hope that Pakistan and Turkey would redouble their efforts for ensuring peace and stability in the region.
The two countries also signed a number of agreements and memoranda of understanding (MoUs) and agreed to increase the number of flights between Pakistan and Turkey.
Premier Nawaz said he was looking forward to the visit of Turkish Premier Erdogan for the fourth HLCC meeting to be held in Pakistan. He assured Erdogan that he would not find Pakistan lagging behind in the implementation of what was agreed.
Cooperation on security
Earlier, PM Nawaz Sharif met Turkish Interior Minister Muammer Güler and other senior security officials and reiterated that Pakistan would seek help and guidance from Turkey in wiping out extremism. He said that strong institutions, a corruption-free environment, an educated population and skilled manpower had resulted in Turkey’s development and progress.
The premier hoped Pakistan would implement an effective counterterrorism strategy with Turkey’s cooperation. “Turkey is our trusted friend and has come out of the same crisis we face today,” he said. “We have the potential to deliver, and we will deliver.”
The Turkish interior minister offered to help Pakistan control cybercrimes and tackle the issue of radicalisation. Pakistan has vast human resources and the right type of training and education would help a lot, Güler said.
He said that extremism could not be defeated with the use of force only, but it needs social reformation and education are equally required.
Pakistan and Turkey: ‘one nation, two states’
Separately, in an exclusive interview with Turkey’s Today’s Zaman newspaper, Prime Minister Sharif affirmed to put structures in place to boost trade and economic ties between the ‘one nation, two states’.
He underlined the excellent political relations between the two countries. “A huge reservoir of goodwill and affection flows from one country to another,” he said. However, there is a long way to go to translate these excellent political relations into tangible and robust trade relations, he added.
Nawaz called the Turkish business community and entrepreneurs to invest in Pakistan, especially in sectors like energy, infrastructure, engineering and the agro-based industry. Citing recent success stories involving Turkish companies in Pakistan, like Lahore’s Metro Bus System and a wind energy project in Sindh, he called Pakistan an investor-friendly country that offered complete legal protection and fair treatment to both local and foreign companies.
Meanwhile, the premier also emphasised Turkey’s role as a bridge between Asia and Europe, and Pakistan’s potential to become a gateway to the energy-rich Central Asia.
He said the Afghanistan-Pakistan-Turkey trilateral process was an important initiative aimed at promoting peace, stability and socio-economic development in Afghanistan. “We are grateful to Turkey for its continued support to the process that has now evolved into an institutionalised tripartite mechanism for cooperation in diverse fields.”
Highest civil award
The prime minister was awarded Turkey’s highest civil award, ‘Jumhuriyet Nishan’. The award was bestowed by Turkish President Abdullah Gul at a special ceremony. “As a recipient of Turkey’s highest state decoration, I am deeply touched by the exalted recognition granted for my humble contribution to furthering our fraternal relations – a calling close to my heart,” he said in his acceptance remarks.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 18th, 2013.
COMMENTS (44)
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Selam from Turkey :) Reading the comment section is horrible. We are one nation and two state with Azerbaijan indeed but also with Pakistan cause in high schools our history teachers tell us how India Muslims and Pakistan people and also Afghans sent even their marriage rings to help Turkey while we were in our Liberation War and we owe you a lot that we can never pay back. I hope two country people know each other more, Pakistan gets a bit better financially and we start having a visa free regime. All the best to you, we feel better when you are better
There are no permanent friends or permanent enemies amongst nations - it's the interests that remains permanent...seems to be aptly coined for India. Brotherly relations, friendship based on mutual respect are unknown realities to India. India dumped its tested old friend Iran on US pressure and cancelled the gas pipeline. Iran since then has hesitant in trusting India. India hold hegemony on its smaller neighbors like Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. You have to be subservient to India to have good relations...Indian doctrine Only Pakistan is giving tough time to India in its hegemonic designs. The support and solidarity extended by the Muslims of the Subcontinent to the Turkish National Independence War is enshrined deep into the collective memory of the Turkish Nation in the form of legendary stories passed on to the younger generations.
How India treats its neighbors, Nepal and Sri Lanka can be gauged by these interesting links: http://www.telegraphnepal.com/national/2012-08-05/nepal:-weakness-in-harnessing-water-resources
http://tribune.com.pk/story/531120/relations-between-india-and-sri-lanka/
@Bakhtiyar Ghazi Khan:
Polytheism is just one character - it means nothing. History of Hinduism goes back 4000 years ago to the time around 2000 BC when the Vedas were written.
ET, I can't respond since my comments keep getting deleted. Please allow me to respond to a legitimate question raised directly to me.
@Dude: My point is that Hinduism as a religion is a modern creation, younger than Islam. Tribal polytheism and pagan idolatry has existed throughout the world for a long time. It was only organized into a system following the Muslim conquest.
@Bakhtiyar Ghazi Khan: "Hinduism is less than 700 years old, formed in response to Islamic monotheism’s mass appeal."
This has to be the most senseless comment ever. Please let everyone know when Hiduism's scriptures were written since your so well versed on the subject. God only helps people who help themselves and even god cant help people who are so ignorant.
@Bakhtiyar Ghazi Khan:
"meant somehow to promote intolerance, hatred, and bigotry against a certain group'
One can not promote intolerance,hatred and bigotry against a society that of itself is doing an excellent job of it.I guess you are working hard to protect Ahmadis???!!!!
ET, please allow me to comment.
@Asad: Good comment.
@csmann: What is your purpose here? Every comment of yours is meant somehow to promote intolerance, hatred, and bigotry against a certain group, whether it is Afghanistan, Pakistan, or Turkey. What is your business in the bilateral relations between two Muslim nations?
Nice gesture. But what do Pakistanis think of Turkey being a full member of NATO and has American bases on it,and much closer to USA. It also is a strong advocate of bombing of Syria by USA.
@Shiv: We intend peace and good relations with every one in the world including you. See the history of the area called Pakistan and we have been the toughest fighters in history. From giving fight of his life to Alexander, all the way upto the British. This area protected what you call India today. No wonder you guys dance so good, since all the time we bore the brunt of invasions. Rest, we cant stay dug up in history. Pakistan has problems, but underneath those problems you see an immense will to rise. and see that slowly we are on track. We have democracy, an economy that is trying to find a foothold. A popullation fed up from violence and poverty. Let us defeat the terror menace, and you see where the talent pool in Pakistan takes it in ten years.
@Arindom: Hinduism is less than 700 years old, formed in response to Islamic monotheism's mass appeal. If you mean polytheism and idol worship, then every country, Muslim or Christian, was polytheistic at one point in it. We have evolved beyond this.
Gr8!!! Turkey recognizes Israel and has full diplomatic relations with the country... Hope you would follow suit...
@Bakhtiyar Ghazi Khan:
yes, as you say there is a 1000 year Turkish relationship - but with India.
Pakistan was carved out by converted Hindus 60 years ago....
@gp65: You will never find a Turk who doesn't love Pakistan, and you will never find a Pakistani who doesn't love Turkey. This is a matter between two devout Islamic brother nations with a great heritage and love between them which has lasted more than a thousand years. No reason to be bitter.
You know very well - the nation-state comment was NOT literal but figurative owing to historic, cultural and indeed ethnic kinship between the people of the two countries.
have a problem with that? too bad.
Turkey has openly supported Pakistan's stance on the Kashmir conflict Ankara, further, recognises Occupied Kashmir, a territory claimed and partially administered by the Republic of India,
Jinnah is honoured as a great leader in Turkey, and a major road of the Turkish capital Ankara, the Cinnah Caddesi is named after him
Turkish President Gül and new Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu to discuss a variety of issues. Head of the Turkish Parliament’s Foreign Relations Commission Murat Mercan stated;
“Today we need cooperation between our countries more than ever. I believe Turkey, having historical brotherhood relations with both, is in a special position to improve and deepen this cooperation. Turkey is confident that the cooperation to be established between Afghanistan and Pakistan will help a lot to solve the problems.
@Betel-Q8: @Abid P. Khan:
On your travel to Ankara, you would have also probably noticed that at the International Airport ALL the passengers selected for "random" interrogation held Green Passports?
uh...but prople in a single nation, two states would have visa-free movement, no?
@Betel-Q8:
C'mon mate, be honest! Pakistanis are laughed at all across West Asia ( Middle East).....
Great Turks no daubt are the most favored Nation on Earth to Pakistanis SALUTES
We are pleased to see the new Pakistani government’s efforts to revitalize the nation’s economy and boost bilateral and multilateral cooperation and trade. These steps, along with bringing stability and security to Pakistan, will hopefully bring more and more foreign investment in the country and strengthen economic ties with partner states. We will continue to support Pakistan’s reform efforts and encourage positive steps towards trade and investment for the overall growth and prosperity of Pakistan and the region.
Haroon Ahmad DET – U.S. Central Command
Turkey is our truest and most loyal friend and ally. They are true Muslims, who do not hesitate to help other Muslims whether it is in Somalia, Burma, Albania, Kosovo, Kashmir, Pakistan, Afghanistan, etc. No matter how much any nation may hate it, including India, Israel, Greece, Russia; Pakistan and Turkey will forever remain close friends. Our shared history as heirs to the Ottoman Empire and Mughal Empire is a main reason for that close bond. No matter how you look at it, Pakistan and Turkey share the same Pan-Islamic brotherhood, Anti-Ethnic Nationalist view of the world.
@Bewildered: "@Arindom: @Chanakyathecynic: @Naveen: @Shiv: @Jibran: @Babloo: @ModiFied: Your comments made my day. Jealousy and desperation is so obvious." . Please use the time machine and repeat, Hindi-Chini Bhai Bhai.
When it comes to hypocrisy, no one can beat Pakistan. Let me remind these Pakistani and Turkish brothers of Turkish dramas on Pakistani TVs and the media reaction;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ygdZ5fVEAI https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGLja8nJ8mk
Pakistanis suffer from memory loss so badly.
@Karwa Sach: And why you left Iraq, Azeribijan, Behrain and Eastern Saudia from Iran, Syria and Lebanon equation?
@Betel-Q8: What a heartwarming example. And there are plenty others. I remember after the 2005 earthquake a young and poor Turkish boy sent his and his mother's one day's income for earthquake victims to Pakistan and he said that they will spend a day hungry to help their Pakistani brothers. Now we have another story about this Turkish girl who donated her one year’s pocket money and her doll as a contribution to help the flood stricken people of Pakistan in 2010.
Such instances of sublime affection demonstrated by the ordinary Turkish citizens for their Pakistani counterparts are potent enough to cause jealous hatred in our meddlesome neighbors.
Long live Pak-Turk friendship!
Most Indians do not know about the brotherly relations Pakistan and Turkey have. This "one nation two state" description is a general statement used by leaders of both countries on bilateral forums and this is not the first time its used to describe Pakistan-Turkey relations. Here's what Turkish PM Erdogan had to day when he visited Pakistan last year.
Erdogan also upheld the friendship between Turkey and Pakistan and vowed to help Pakistan in its hard times. “Pakistan’s pain is our pain, Pakistan’s happiness is our happiness… There is no example of the deep love held between Pakistani people and the Turkish people. I feel like I am at home here, I feel like I am with my relatives and brothers.”
http://tribune.com.pk/story/382017/pak-turkey-ties-erdogan-addresses-parliament-offers-sage-advice/
@Arindom: @Chanakyathecynic: @Naveen: @Shiv: @Jibran: @Babloo: @ModiFied:
Your comments made my day. Jealousy and desperation is so obvious.
I can see one common factor in comments posted by Indians. JEALOUSY, translated into narrow minds. These folks need to know the history of our strong bonds right from the Ottoman empire, which continued in military dictatorships, secular rulers to the present time Islamists (The Justice & Development Party). It had remained strong always. I was in Istanbul on a business trip, and booked a room at 5-star hotel for 2 days. Somehow I had to extend my stay for a day to have the job done, but due to tourist season rush, booking staff refused declined my request. When they knew that I was from Pakistan, ( I was travelling from Kuwait to represent a local company) their GM offered me his personal suite in hotel for free. This shows the deep rooted friendship between the ordinary people, let alone the governments.
How about the capital of this nation? Ankara I suppose.....
Pakistan, Saudia Arabia, Turkey, = One Country Iran, Syria, Lebanon = One Country
@usman:
er...whatever happened to the Gaddafi Stadium? named after such fanfare with your "Libyan" brothers -- no Pakistani dare set foot in Libya today!! Same goes in Bahrain!
First it was India Pakistan. Then It was Pakistan Bangladesh Then it was , even very recently, Pakistan-Afganistan Pardon me for forgetting Pakistan-China and now its Pakistan-Turkey , One nation-2 states.
loving it.
PM calls Turkey, Pakistan ‘one nation, two states’
How naive! Trust me, Turkish people, including their president, strongly disagree. Like someone said earlier, we are hitting the lowest ebbs in chamchagiri.
But the question is: Is the friendship deeper than the ocean?
@usman: Just the other day your PM called relations with China 'sweeter than honey'! So now as to how you have relation with Turkey, the Arabs and China would confound anyone. Unless one knows for the fact that all these countries have at various times in history come and raped and pillaged what's your country today. But then those are sweet memories, aren't they?
@usman: It is Nawaz (the Visiting leader of the poorer country) who has said it, not the richer host Erdogan.
Let me put it another way - We in India have even stronger multidimensional ties plus open borders with no visa requirement to visit and work in next door Nepal and Bhutan (and vice versa), yet these tiny landlocked countries make it a point not to term themselves as part of one nation with India. That's national self-respect for you.
Even within Turkey, the kurds see themselves as a separate nation, though negotiations are still on for living under single state. Pakistan itself is a multinational state (the very fact that you made a discreet mention of Pakhtun and Balochs itself illucidates it), So how can Pakistan and Turkey be one nation is beyond me?
Pak-Turk friendship zindabad
@Arindom: Perhaps some of the Indian readers on ET do not know about the closeness between Pakistan and Turkey. My parents went on vacation to Istanbul earlier in the year and were surprised by the warmth that they experienced from common Turks. Nawaz Sharif has done well to work on the basic warm relations that the people of both nations enjoy. The Turks have worked closely in Pakistan in times of need such as the 2005 earthquake and other times of emergency. In more recent times, the Metro Bus System in Lahore has introduced a relatively inexpensive modern mass transit system to Pakistan which has not only relieved congestion in the city but also saved commuters much difficulty. You will see people lining up in an orderly fashion to buy tickets and board the bus in Lahore thanks to this project. Now people in other cities are waiting for a similar project with Turkish participation. Turkey has done a great job in modernizing its nation and they are interested in investing in Pakistan which is a win- win situation.
@Usman - Buddy, YOUR Prime Minister was the one that called Turkey and Pakistan one nation, two states.
indian commentators constantly ridicule Pakistan's historic relations and even kinship with countries like turkey or the fact that we take pride in our central asian connection. telling us that these links are non-existent and a figment on our imagination... that the pukhtun of swat having nothing in common with the pukhtun of afghanistan that the baluch having nothing in common with beluch of iran...
now that a country call us one nation and two states.... it is chamchagiri.
So Turkey is the 'sweetest' country then? Pakistanis have invented a new form of international diplomacy -- "chamchagiri".
A salute to the two democratically elected leaders. It is God and only God who bestows honor or dishonor. No fasicst dictator can get such honor. Kudos to the two democracies.