UPDATES WITH PRESIDENT ERDOGAN’S REMARKS
By Esra Tekin
ISTANBUL (AA) - Türkiye's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday hailed Pakistan's stance on the Palestinian issue, saying that Pakistan is one of the countries that reacted "most strongly" to the genocide in Gaza.
"I would like to once again express that we have always appreciated Pakistan’s firm stance on the Palestinian issue. Pakistan is also one of the countries that reacted most strongly to the genocide in Gaza," Erdogan said in a joint news conference with Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Shariff in the capital Ankara.
Stating that Pakistan has been supporting the just cause of Palestinians on various platforms, including the UN, Erdogan said that Ankara and Islamabad are determined to continue joint efforts in the coming period.
"We will continue to work together toward the establishment of an independent and sovereign Palestinian state, based on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital and with territorial integrity," Erdogan further added.
Erdogan said he last visited Pakistan in February for the 7th Meeting of the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council, and mutual engagements reflect the exceptional level of relations between the two countries.
He noted that during Tuesday's meeting with Prime Minister Sharif, they discussed not only bilateral relations but also regional and international issues.
“As you know, Türkiye and Pakistan are among the countries demonstrating the strongest resolve in the fight against terrorism,” Erdogan said, expressing condolences for those killed in the terrorist attacks in Pakistan, reiterating Ankara’s support for Islamabad in its fight against terrorism.
Highlighting that during his February visit to Pakistan, 25 documents were signed covering trade, water resources, agriculture, energy, culture, family and social services, science, banking, education, defense, and health, Erdogan added that the decisions taken in Islamabad are being “swiftly” implemented by the relevant institutions.
“Together with my dear brother, we discussed encouraging mutual investments and allocating free economic zones to our companies in Pakistan. We are also eager to further strengthen our relations in the military and defense industries through joint projects.
“During my energy minister’s visit to Pakistan, we especially underlined the potential for new cooperation in energy and critical minerals. We also discussed the issue of meeting the need for Turkish language instructors in Pakistani universities,” he added.
Erdogan underlined that cooperation between Ankara and Islamabad contributes significantly to peace and stability in the region, saying: “I would like to once again express that we have always appreciated Pakistan’s firm stance on the Palestinian issue.
He added that Türkiye, Pakistan, and Azerbaijan will be taking steps towards trilateral cooperation.