Men ride a motorcycle past giant portraits of Pakistan's President Mamnoon Hussain,Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, and Pakistan's Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, displayed along a road in Islamabad February 17, 2015. PHOTO: REUTERS
A contingent of the armed forces presented the guard of honor, while national anthems of both nations were played at the Turkish PM’s reception.
The COAS also met the Turkish Prime Minister in Islamabad, Director General Inter Services Public Relations Major General Asim Bajwa tweeted.
COAS met Turkish PM at Isd today. "We stand by our brothers.Pakistan's security is Turkish security,Pak flag is Turkish flag"Turkish PM said
— Gen(R) Asim Saleem Bajwa (@AsimBajwaISPR) February 17, 2015
Addressing the media after meeting the Turkish prime minister, PM Nawaz said, “In times of need, Turkey has always stood by Pakistan.”
He claimed security, defence and counter-terrorism cooperation remain robust between the two countries.
“We have no doubt, Pakistan and Turkey’s relations will continue to grow from strength to strength,” he added.
Nawaz further said the two premiers met today in the backdrop of the Paris attack and its aftermath.
“We decided we will not allow any attempt to vilify Islam and justify sacrilegious cartoons in the name of freedom of expression.”
“Condemning terrorism, Pakistan and Turkey have decided to work together to work together towards any form of Islamophobia,” he added.
Also speaking on the occasion, Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said, “It is a great pleasure and honour for me to visit Pakistan.”
“It is a tradition that one of the first traditions is that we should visit Pakistan and it is my absolute honour to have visited Pakistan in my first few months of leadership,” he added.
Davutoglu announced $20 million aid for the internally displaced persons owing to the ongoing Operation Zarb-e-Azb.
Claiming Pakisyan has always cooperated with Turkey in their time of need, he said, “Turkey will always be with you prime minister and the people of Pakistan.”
Turkey and Pakistan are much closer than neighbor but owing to our geographic locations we need to work on transportation linking us. This is why we want more frequency between Turkish Airlines and PIA and railway networks,” he said.
“We have signed 11 MoUs today,” he added, claiming the total number of agreements signed between the two countries are now 51.
“On regional matters, we are coordinating our strategies. The peace and stability of Afghanistan means peace and stability in Pakistan and Turkey,” he said.
“We support your initiative to have good neighbourly relations with India,” he further added.
Matters related to regional security and defence cooperation between the two countries were discussed. Prime Minister Davutoglu appreciated the success achieved by Pakistan in its fight against terrorism.
PM Nawaz addresses Pak-Turk Business Forum
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif while addressing the Pak-Turk Business Forum said there were several opportunities for the Turkish private sector in Pakistan, especially in energy, infrastructure and agriculture.
“I see great opportunities in trade between the two countries,” he said.
The premier added that Pakistan was working on the project, CASA-1000 to bring electricity from Central Asia into South Asia, and were also constructing a China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.
“This corridor will have special economic zones attached throughout the route, which will house a large number of factories providing employment to our citizens,” he said.
He also expressed desire of a direct train service between Pakistan and Turkey that will provide greater opportunities for trade between the two brotherly countries.
“We are endeavoring to turn the dream of regional connectivity into a reality,” said PM Nawaz.
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