PM suggests raising Pakistan-Turkey trade to $2b

Gilani asks the Turkish government to encourage its private sector to collaborate closely with Pakistani counterparts.

ANKARA: Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani on Tuesday suggested raising the level of trade with Turkey to $2 billion by 2012.

Addressing the Turkish Grand National Assembly in Ankara, Gilani asked the Turkish government to encourage its private sector to collaborate closely with Pakistani counterparts.

Meanwhile, Turkey's President Abdullah Gul said his country considers Pakistan as its friend and considers its problems as its own.

Speaking at a reception he had given in honour of Gilani, Gul said the two countries shared commonality of views on regional and international issues.

Extending full support to the fight terrorism and extremism, the Turkish president stressed the need for both countries to work together to maintain peace and stability in the region. He hoped relations between the two countries would strengthen further.

Later, Gul conferred Nisahan-e-Jamhuriat Award on the Prime Minister Gilani.