UNITED NATIONS, Sep 20 (APP): Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday exchanged views on regional situation in South Asia as well as the Middle East, particularly in the Indian Occupied Kashmir, Syria and Iraq.
The two leaders met on the sidelines of the 71st UN
General Assembly session in New York. This was the first
meeting between both the leaders since the failed coup attempt in Turkey on July 15, 2016.
The Prime Minister was assisted by Sartaj Aziz, Adviser
to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs, Syed Tariq Fatemi,
Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs and
Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry, among others.
Prime Minister Sharif conveyed the sense of relief and
strong sentiment of support on behalf of Pakistani people to
President Erdogan on his successful handling of the coup.
Nawaz Sharif was among the first world leaders to call
the Turkish President and express Pakistan’s support and
solidarity with the democratically elected government and the people of Turkey while the coup was being thwarted.
The Prime Minister reiterated strong support for the
people of Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir who have been the victims of brutal atrocities at the hands of Indian occupation forces for decades.
He shared the latest situation in Kashmir, especially
the uprising that has unfolded in recent months as a result of
barbaric Indian acts of violence against innocent Kashmiris
and gross human rights abuses at the state level.
President Erdogan said that Turkey will make arrangements for sending a fact finding mission to Indian Occupied Kashmir in the capacity of the Chair of human rights commission of the OIC Contact Group.
Prime Minister Sharif thanked the Turkish President for
his support.
The Turkish President said, “We are friends forever;
Turkey and Pakistan are inseparable countries.”
The Prime Minister conveyed condolences to the Turkish
President on the recent terrorist incidents in various cities
across Turkey that had led to the loss of precious human
lives.
He expressed hope that the brave Turkish brethren will
be able to overcome these challenges soon.
President Erdogan said Turkey and Pakistan have always
been and will continue to remain strong and steadfast partners in bringing peace and progress in their respective regions as well as in the Muslim world.
The Prime Minister hailed the positive contribution of
Turkish companies who had invested in infrastructure and
services sector in Pakistan. He invited Turkish firms to
enhance their investment in Pakistan.
While highlighting the significance of Pakistan-Turkey
Free Trade Agreement, the Prime Minister stressed upon the
need for finalizing it at the earliest so that both countries
could maximize the trade potential.
He thanked the Turkish President for playing a
constructive role in the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG).
The Prime Minister shared details of Pakistan’s strong
credentials in non-proliferation as well as nuclear safety and
security which make it an ideal candidate for NSG membership.
