Islamabad: The Turkish president announced on Thursday that he and the Pakistani prime minister have agreed to intensify efforts to achieve a bilateral trade volume target of $5 billion. "We agree with the prime minister to increase our efforts to reach the target of $5 billion dollars in trade volume," stated Recep Tayyip Erdogan during a joint news conference with Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad.
According to Anadolu Agency, Erdogan highlighted the historical ties between the two nations and the role of the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council, established in 2009, as the primary mechanism for institutionalizing Trkiye-Pakistan solidarity. "We have just concluded the seventh meeting of our council, where we reaffirmed our commitment to further strengthening our relations. Within this framework, we signed 24 agreements covering various sectors," Erdogan added.
Erdogan noted the organization of a business forum with entrepreneurs from different industries, emphasizing the importance of increased engagement by investors in Pakistan. He arrived in Islamabad on an official visit following trips to Malaysia and Indonesia.
The Turkish leader also highlighted the solidarity between Ankara and Islamabad during challenging times, recalling that Sharif was the first foreign leader to visit Turkey following the earthquakes in February 2023. On security issues, Erdogan acknowledged Pakistan's sacrifices in combating terrorism and reaffirmed Trkiye's support for Pakistan's anti-terrorism efforts.
Erdogan expressed appreciation for Pakistan's backing in counterterrorism efforts and reiterated Trkiye's support for resolving the Kashmir issue through dialogue, based on UN resolutions. He also acknowledged Pakistan's support for the Turkish Cypriots, which he described as meaningful.
During the same conference, Sharif expressed Pakistan's unwavering support for Trkiye and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. The Cyprus issue has been a longstanding dispute, with efforts by the UN to achieve a comprehensive settlement.
On the Palestine issue, Erdogan emphasized Ankara's appreciation for Islamabad's stance. He noted that both nations strive to support the Palestinian cause at international platforms. Referring to proposals by US President Donald Trump regarding Gaza, Erdogan stressed the importance of maintaining a resolute stance and reiterated support for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.