Shehbaz Sharif and Erdogan Discuss Enhanced Pakistan-Türkiye Cooperation
Cairo, The Gulf Observer: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif met Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the sidelines of the 11th D-8 Summit in Cairo on Thursday. The two leaders held extensive discussions on bilateral relations and matters of mutual interest, reaffirming the deep-rooted, fraternal ties between Pakistan and Türkiye.
Prime Minister Sharif highlighted the historic and multi-dimensional relations between the two nations, which he described as unparalleled and enduring. He commended the significant progress achieved by Türkiye under President Erdogan’s leadership and emphasized the importance of expanding economic cooperation in emerging areas such as IT, agriculture, and green technology.
The two leaders agreed to intensify efforts to strengthen economic and trade ties, setting a shared goal to achieve a bilateral trade volume of $5 billion. They also underscored the importance of enhancing defense cooperation and exploring opportunities for foreign investment and joint ventures.
In addition to bilateral matters, the leaders reaffirmed mutual support on key national issues. President Erdogan reiterated Türkiye’s unwavering support for Pakistan on the Jammu & Kashmir dispute, while Prime Minister Sharif expressed Pakistan’s solidarity with Türkiye’s stance on the Cyprus issue.
Both leaders strongly condemned the ongoing Israeli actions against Palestinians, emphasizing their unwavering support for the Palestinian people’s legitimate aspirations for statehood. They also exchanged views on the evolving situation in the Middle East and Syria, calling for coordinated efforts to promote peace and stability in the region.
President Erdogan praised the recent improvements in Pakistan’s economy under Prime Minister Sharif’s leadership and commended Pakistan’s substantial humanitarian assistance to Palestine and Lebanon. He reaffirmed Türkiye’s commitment to strengthening collaboration with Pakistan in diverse fields and promoting regional harmony.
Prime Minister Sharif extended an invitation to President Erdogan to visit Pakistan at the earliest convenience to co-chair the 7th session of the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council in Islamabad.
The meeting reaffirmed the enduring brotherhood between Pakistan and Türkiye and their shared commitment to fostering regional peace and prosperity.
