BEIJING, July 9 (APP): Senior Research Fellow at the Charhar Institute, Prof Cheng Xizhong said on Wednesday that the visit of Foreign Minister of Turkiye Hakan Fidan to Pakistan reflects the profound historical connection and extensive common interests between the two countries, and the importance is mainly reflected in the following aspects.
First of all, Pakistan and Turkiye are both Muslim countries, and their common Islamic beliefs have strengthened cultural ties. After Pakistan’s independence in 1947, Turkiye was one of the first countries to recognize Pakistan. This historical friendship has laid a solid foundation for the friendly relations between the two countries, he said in a statement here.
Secondly, he said that Pakistan and Turkiye have frequently exchanged high-level visits and deepened their strategic partnership. Both sides support each other on issues of mutual core concern, especially on the Kashmir issue. Turkiye has repeatedly appealed to the international community to pay attention to the just stance of Pakistan.
Terming economic cooperation is an important component of the relationship between the two countries, he said that in 2017, the two sides launched the “Pakistan-Turkiye Strategic Economic Framework” to promote the growth of bilateral trade and investment. In 2025, the two countries have agreed to take concrete measures to achieve the goal of an average annual bilateral trade volume of 5 billion US dollars. Turkiye also has extensive investment in Pakistan’s infrastructure, energy and other fields.
The development of relations between Pakistan and Muslim countries aims to build a more inclusive and resilient regional order by strengthening mutual trust, deepening cooperation and coordinating positions, he added.
Prof Cheng said that this relationship not only alleviates the security and development pressures faced by a single country, but also provides a platform for multilateral cooperation in the political resolution of regional hotspot issues, ultimately promoting regional peace from the perspectives of reducing conflict risks and enhancing stability foundations. Although there are differences in interests among Muslim countries, the common religious and cultural identity and practical needs have always been an important driving force for promoting regional peace.