Pakistan, Turkiye ink 24 MoUs, accords in defence, other sectors

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Turkiye have strengthened their strategic partnership, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdo an signing a joint declaration on Thursday. This milestone marks the conclusion of the 7th session of the Pakistan-Turkiye High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council.

The declaration aims to further deepen, diversify, and institutionalize the bilateral partnership between the two nations. As part of this effort, Pakistan and Turkiye signed 24 memorandums of understanding (MoUs), protocols and cooperation agreements across defence, energy, trade, agriculture, and technology to further enhance cooperation and cement relations at a ceremony held at the Prime Minister’s House here.

The two sides exchanged four MoUs to enhance cooperation in defence sector, two MoUs and a protocol in power, energy and mining sectors, three MoUs in promoting cooperation in trade and industrial sector, two agreements in the fields of water and seed production, two MoUs in scientific education and training, two MoUs in banking sector, one MoU for promoting bilateral cooperation in religious services and religious education, one MoU in halal food, one MoU for further enhancing cooperation in the fields of media and public relations, one MoU in legal sector, one MoU in health and pharmaceutical sectors, one MoU to promote cooperation in aerospace industry, two agreements in the field of cultural cooperation and co-production. Besides, they also exchanged two MoUs signed by Pakistan-Turkiye Business Forum.

President Erdo an and PM Shehbaz Sharif pledged to enhance economic ties by exploiting full potential of investment and trade as the two countries agreed to continue their efforts to reach the goal of five-billion-dollar trade volume annually. The consensus was reached at a meeting, held between PM Shehbaz and President Erdo an, as well as the Pakistan-Turkiye high level strategic cooperation council meeting in federal capital.

Later, addressing a press conference, Turkish President Erdo an said both the countries considered expanding the scope of their current goods trade agreement in the first stage. He said Turkish investors would be encouraged to engage more in Pakistan and develop flagship projects. “Our military dialogue and cooperation in defence industry have grown our trade and investment relations exponentially,” the Turkish president said.

He said the two sides have reaffirmed the determination to advance the projects and potential areas of cooperation including procurement, sales and joint manufacturing. Referring to 24 agreements, the Turkish president expressed the confidence that they would prove beneficial for the two countries and the region. He said that Pakistan, with its dynamic population and fertile agricultural land as well as important strategic position, could become one of the major economies in future. He said Pakistan’s evolving economy was expected to undertake significant projects in the coming period, particularly in the fields of energy, agriculture, healthcare, infrastructure, IT, energy, trade and investment.

Erdo an appreciated Pakistan’s great sacrifices in the war against terrorism. He reaffirmed his country’s unconditional support to Pakistan in its fight against all forms of terrorism. He said his country stands in solidarity with Kashmiri brothers, adding that for resolution of Kashmir dispute through dialogue based on the UN resolutions and aspirations of the Kashmiri people. Erdo an also commended Pakistan’s unwavering stance on the Palestine issue, saying both the countries will continue to work together for establishment of an independent and sovereign Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.

He stressed the need to improve combined road and railway transportation to increase trade activities between the two countries. “It will be in the interest of the entire region to leverage projects that we can implement with a holistic perspective such as reactivating the Islamabad-Tehran-Istanbul trade railway line as well as initiative on the middle corridor, China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC),” he said.

PM Shehbaz Sharif was appreciative of Turkiye’s clear and consistent stance on Jammu and Kashmir dispute. He said Pakistan fully supports the cause of Northern Cyprus and firmly stands by Turkiye. He said Turkiye had always stood by Pakistan through thick and thin and natural calamities. He said the spirit of compassion and generosity has been the guiding principle of the enduring partnership. He expressed confidence that the brotherhood and fraternal ties between the two countries would get stronger by the time. He said the visit of Turkish President had given a new level to brotherly relations between the two countries.

The PM said the two sides discussed a range of issues from trade and investment to strategic and defence cooperation. He said the signed agreements and MoUs and the announcement of Special Economic Zone (SEZ), to be built by Turkish firms for industrial production, were all going to be materialised through joint cooperation. He assured that he would work closely with the Turkish president to convert these agreements into action. Later, the PM hosted a luncheon in honour of the Turkish president and his delegation.

Later, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdo an also visited the Aiwan-i-Sadr and held a detailed meeting with President Asif Ali Zardari. The two sides reiterated their commitment to further improve bilateral cooperation in the areas of trade, economy, energy, defence, tourism and people-to-people contacts for mutual benefit of the two brotherly countries. Recognising the vast potential for enhanced economic cooperation, both sides underscored the need to increase trade and investment relations. The matters of mutual interest were discussed by Tayyip Erdo an and President Zardari.

Welcoming President Erdo an and his delegation, President Zardari said Pakistan and Turkiye enjoyed historic fraternal ties and supported each other on various international fora. He underscored that President Erdo an’s visit held special significance for the people of Pakistan and would help further solidify bilateral relations. The president stated that Pakistan offered an investment-friendly environment and reiterated Pakistan’s desire to see enhanced investment by the Turkish enterprises in Pakistan including in the stock market and other key areas of the economy.

He called for increasing cooperation in the banking sectors of the two countries to facilitate businesses and boost bilateral trade volume to its fullest potential. He underscored the need for increased connectivity and air links between Pakistan and Turkiye to encourage tourism and strengthen people-to-people ties.

The meeting also discussed regional and international issues, particularly Gaza and Syria, and agreed to work together to promote peace and stability in the region and globally. He thanked President Erdo an for Turkiye’s principled support for Kashmiris’ right to self-determination.

To Turkish president stated that he would continue to encourage Turkiye’s companies to invest in Pakistan and wanted to raise bilateral trade to $5 billion. He called for enhancing people-to-people relations to pass on the friendship to succeeding generations. He lauded the advancement and stability achieved by Pakistan. He also thanked the president for Pakistan’s continued support to Turkiye on the Cyprus issue. He said that the Jammu and Kashmir dispute should be resolved through dialogue and in accordance with the UN Security Council resolutions. Following the meeting, President Zardari hosted a banquet in honour of President Erdo an, First Lady Emine Erdo an and the Turkish delegation.

Separately, Pakistan and Turkiye signed an MoU to enhance cooperation in religious affairs and promote religious education between the two countries. Federal Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Chaudhry Salik Hussain and Turkiye’s Minister of Religious Affairs Prof. Dr. Ali Erbas signed the MoU, which marks a significant step in strengthening religious ties between Pakistan and Turkiye, fostering unity, and advancing mutual objectives in the realm of religious education and cultural exchange.

Both nations will work together to facilitate Haj and Umrah pilgrims by strengthening mutual coordination and also pledged to formulate a joint strategy to counter extremism, terrorism, and sectarianism. To promote modern education, the exchange of scholars and students from religious seminaries will be increased. Moreover, training courses and seminars would be organised to enhance the skills of Imams, preachers, and religious leaders, equipping them with scientific, religious and cultural knowledge.

Separately, in a significant diplomatic engagement, Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz met First Lady of Turkiye Emine Erdo an in Islamabad, extending a heartfelt welcome and expressing profound gratitude for her visit to Pakistan.

Addressing the circular economy ceremony under the Pakistan-Türkiye partnership for sustainability, the CM said, “The Suthra Punjab Programme is a revolutionary project. As soon as I took the oath of office as Chief Minister, I vowed to make every city and village of the province clean as per international standards.”

The CM said, “Rs120 billion have been allocated for the Suthra Punjab programme. Investment in this programme will provide long-term environmental and economic benefits. A public-private partnership has been launched, and local industries and the business community will play a key role in Punjab’s sanitation system. This partnership will bring more innovation, effectiveness and sustainability to the sanitation sector.” She said, “I am grateful to Emine Erdo an for introducing us to international best practices for sanitation. I also express my gratitude to Türkiye’s waste management model, which has inspired us to adopt a modern, effective and sustainable sanitation system in Punjab.”

Meanwhile, Pakistan officially named the Sector F-8 and F-9 Interchange after President of Turkiye Recep Tayyip Erdo an. President Erdo an and PM Shehbaz Sharif unveiled the plaque of the Interchange name plate in a ceremony held at the PM House. The Interchange has recently been constructed in a record time at the intersection of Jinnah Avenue and Agha Shahi Road.