ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Turkey have reaffirmed the resolve to further improve bilateral relations in trade, culture and defence, and support each other at various regional and international fora.
An understanding to this effect was reached during a meeting between President Dr Arif Alvi and the visiting Chief of the Turkish General Staff, General Yasar Guler on Thursday.
The two sides agreed that peace in Afghanistan is very important, which will help bring prosperity to its people as well as promote regional trade and connectivity.
President Alvi reiterated that Pakistan will continue to support Turkey on Cyprus. He also thanked Turkey for always supporting Pakistan, particularly its stance on the Kashmir dispute
The president said that Pakistan and Turkey enjoy deep-rooted relations which need to be further broadened for the mutual benefit of the two countries. He emphasised the need for increasing cooperation in the fields of trade, IT and defence. He reiterated that Pakistan would continue to support Turkey on the Cyprus issue.
Congratulating the president on successfully holding the Pakistan Day parade, General Yasar Guler said that Turkey will continue to support Pakistan at every platform. He underlined the need for further strengthening friendly relations between the two countries and expressed the hope that the new generations of the two countries would take forward the bilateral ties to new levels. He also appreciated Pakistan’s efforts in supporting Afghanistan at difficult times.
Turkish Ambassador Ihsan Mustafa Yurdakul also attended the meeting.
Separately, President Alvi has expressed the resolve that Pakistan will gain an influence in the world by making its economy stable and maintaining a strong defence line. He was speaking at a ceremony after giving awards to the organisers of Pakistan Day Parade on Thursday.
The president stressed on a constant vigilance to counter nefarious designs of the enemy and called for effectively addressing the emerging challenges, particularly cyber warfare. He said nobody can cast an evil eye on Pakistan in the presence of its disciplined and professional armed forces.
Paying glowing tribute to the country’s armed forces for defending the frontiers, Dr. Arif Alvi said Pakistan always emerged victorious from difficult situations and foiled the conspiracies of the enemy.
He said Pakistan Army is the only military in the world that fought the war against terrorism and extremism in a “proper and effective manner”. The president mentioned that the army always provided relentless services to the nation in times of natural disasters, may it earthquakes or floods. He said Pakistan secured the atomic capability for its defence and it has the potential to meet any challenge.
