Pakistan, Turkey agree to start strategic dialogue at FM level

ISLAMABAD : Pakistan and Turkey Saturday decided to initiate strategic dialogue at foreign ministers level for regular contacts to further enhance bilateral, friendly and time tested relations for the benefit of people of two countries.
Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and his Turkish counterpart Ali Babacan, held meeting at the Foreign Office today and discussed regional and international issues, trade and economic relations.
Talking to newsmen both the foreign ministers after the meeting said they have also agreed to further enhance trade, economic and defence relations.
Pakistan and Turkey also decided to hold the next meeting of the Joint Working Group in May, which was scheduled in January this year but postponed due to elections in Pakistan.
Both the countries also agreed to hold third round of tripartite talks between Pakistan, Afghanistan and Turkey in May this year to ease tension in the region and ensure peace and security.
Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi while talking to reporters said after this the meeting of working group on tripartite meeting, a tripartite summit is possible in June this year.
He said the relations between Pakistan and Turkey are beyond personal level and government and both the countries have unanimity of views on all the regional and international issues.
Qureshi said both the countries have high level political contacts and the strategic dialogue at foreign ministers level will further enhance these relations and ties.
He also expressed Pakistan gratitude to Turkey on its support on the issue of Kashmir.
The Foreign Minister said in connection with the improvement of trade and economic ties and to increase present level of trade of $690 million between two countries to one billion dollar in next two years.
“We have potential, desire and willingness at both sides to achieve this target of trade,” said the Foreign Minister.
He also appreciated the role of Turkey for the development and reconstruction in Afghanistan and added that both the countries have been cooperating in this regard.
Shah Mahmood Qureshi said both the countries, Pakistan and Turkey are of the view that military is not the only solution to the Afghanistan issue.
Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan talking to newsmen said he is proud to be in Pakistan after the general elections. He congratulated the people of Pakistan for fair, free and transparent general elections and added that it represents the commitment of people of Pakistan for democracy.
He said both the countries have close cooperation at various levels and due to Pakistan’s geo-strategic location, the relations between the two countries are quite important.
He said Pakistan has stride to face challenges and to overcome them.
He assured full support and cooperation to Pakistan in facing these challenges with determination.
The Turkish Foreign Minister said his visit aimed at expanding already brotherly and close relations between the two countries.
Replying to a question about arrest of some Turkish people, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi denied such reports.
Answering a question on the war against the terrorism, the Turkish Foreign Minister said, “Terrorism is a global problem and not related to any single religion.”
He said terrorism threats are from many countries, and different religions and added that with solidarity and cooperation world can fight this menace.