Turkish minister takes keen interest in enhancing education ties with Pakistan

ISLAMABAD, Oct 07 (APP):Minister for National Education of Turkey Zia Selçuk has showed keen desire to further enhance education ties with Pakistan especially in vocational and technical training.

He stated this during a meeting with the Federal Minister for Education, Professional Training & National Heritage Shafqat Mahmood, said a press release issued here from Ankara on Monday.

Federal Minister for Education Shafqat Mahmood was leading a 5-member delegation to Turkey and met with Minister for National Education of Turkey Mr. Zia Selçuk in Ankara.

Both the ministers discussed steps to further enhance Pakistan-Turkey relations in education, particularly technical education and vocational training.

Welcoming the Pakistani delegation, Minister Ziya Selçuk said Pakistan occupies a very special place in the eyes of the people of Turkey.

He said Pakistan and Turkey had always supported each other, emphasizing that Turkey would not forget the support given by the people of Pakistan during Turkish War of Independence, Çanakkale War, and the 15th July 2016 failed coup.

He also appreciated the Government of Pakistan’s efforts in handing over Pak-Turk Schools to Maarif Foundation of Turkey.

Referring to Jinnah Young Writers Awards essay competition, a joint project of Pakistan Embassy Ankara and Turkish Ministry of National Education, Minister Zia said it had proved to be an important initiative further contributing to Pakistan-Turkey friendship.

Minister Shafqat Mahmood thanked the Turkish hosts for warm hospitality and said the people of Pakistan had genuine love and respect for the people of Turkey and vice versa.

He particularly thanked President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for his steadfast support to the people of Kashmir and appreciated his bold speech in the recent United Nations General Assembly meeting in which President Erdogan showed strong solidarity with the suffering people of the Indian Occupied Kashmir.