President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan met with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who is visiting Turkey, at Vahdettin Pavilion. At the joint press conference held after the inter-delegation talks, Erdoğan made important statements on regional issues.
Erdoğan stated that the calm achieved through the Islamabad agreement gave the whole world a breather, and congratulated Prime Minister Sharif and the Pakistani people for their great efforts in achieving this result. He emphasized that Turkey supports every step to reduce tensions in the region and resolve problems through diplomacy.
Erdoğan said they are closely following the Israeli administration's provocations aimed at dynamiting the agreement, and stated that the Zionist massacre squad, which ties its political survival to the continuation of conflicts in the region, does not leave Lebanon and Syria alone. He noted that Israeli occupation forces continue their unlawful and inhumane attacks on the oppressed in Gaza.
Erdoğan said, "We must not allow the war-addicted current Israeli government to drown our geography again, especially in the smell of gunpowder and blood." He stated that Turkey wants a climate where all residents of the region, regardless of their faith, live in peace, and that they are making every effort for this.
Underlining that the will and contribution of regional countries are essential for a lasting solution, Erdoğan said they will continue solidarity with brotherly countries, especially Pakistan, to strengthen peace, stability and prosperity.
Touching on economic cooperation between the two countries, Erdoğan announced that they reaffirmed the target of raising their trade volume to the previously set level of $5 billion. He reported that the trade ministries are working on the Special Economic Zone planned for Turkish businesspeople in Karachi, and that negotiations are ongoing to expand the scope of the preferential trade agreement.
Erdoğan stated that they want to deepen cooperation in defense industry, energy, transportation, critical minerals and information technologies, and expressed his belief that these projects will add strength to Pakistan's power.
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in his speech, said that Turkey stood by Pakistan like a rock in difficult times. He noted that thanks to Erdoğan's dynamic and courageous leadership, Turkey has undergone a great change and transformation and increased its influence in global affairs. "Turkey's success is Pakistan's success, our goal is always common," Sharif said, praising the friendship between the two countries.
Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, MIT Director İbrahim Kalın, Presidential Communications Director Burhanettin Duran, and Presidential Security and Foreign Policy Chief Advisor Akif Çağatay Kılıç were present at the bilateral meeting held behind closed doors.
