Istanbul: Trkiye's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has issued a stark warning against Israel's 'war-addicted' government, urging the international community to prevent further conflict in the region. During a joint news conference in Istanbul with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Erdogan emphasized the need to avoid allowing Israel to plunge the region into bloodshed once more.

According to Anadolu Agency, Erdogan stressed the importance of creating a peaceful and secure environment for all people in the region, regardless of their faith. He highlighted that no solution can be sustainable without the support and involvement of regional countries, and reaffirmed Trkiye's commitment to working with brotherly nations, particularly Pakistan, to promote peace and stability.

Erdogan expressed his condolences to Sharif over a tragic bus accident in Pakistan's Balochistan province, which claimed 40 lives. The two leaders discussed bilateral relations and broader regional and global issues, with Erdogan praising Pakistan's role in mediating the Islamabad Memorandum, an interim deal between Iran and the US, which has helped to ease tensions.

Erdogan voiced concern over Israel's actions, accusing it of attempting to sabotage the agreement and continuing its 'unlawful and inhumane' attacks on Palestinians in Gaza, as well as targeting Lebanon and Syria. He stressed Trkiye's ongoing support for diplomatic efforts aimed at reducing regional tensions.

On the topic of bilateral relations, Erdogan highlighted the strong solidarity between Ankara and Islamabad, particularly in trade and investment. The leaders discussed steps to boost trade volume to a target of $5 billion and explored plans for a special economic zone for Turkish businesses in Karachi. Additionally, they considered expanding the scope of the preferential trade agreement and enhancing defense industry cooperation.

Erdogan underscored the commitment to deepen cooperation with Pakistan in various sectors, including energy, transportation, critical minerals, and information technologies. He expressed optimism that ongoing projects would further strengthen Pakistan and reiterated Trkiye's determination to pursue collaborative efforts with Prime Minister Sharif.