Islamabad, 13 April 2023 (TDI): Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari received Turkish Ambassador Mehmet Pacaci to discuss and reaffirm the longstanding bilateral relationship between Pakistan and Turkiye.
During the meeting, the two officials emphasized their commitment to enhancing cooperation in various areas, including trade and investment, defense, regional connectivity, education, and culture.
Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari opened the meeting by thanking Turkiye for its unwavering support of Pakistan, especially during difficult times. The Ambassador agreed and praised Pakistan’s initiatives to advance regional harmony and stability.
The officials talked about how the two nations’ various sectors need to cooperate more. They recognized that there is still room for increased trade and investment, particularly in the sectors of textiles, agriculture, and tourism. They decided to look into potential joint ventures and investment projects to improve economic ties.
The two sides reaffirmed their commitment to stepping up their cooperation in training, joint exercises, and technology transfer in the defense sector. They recognized the value of teaming up to fight terrorism and extremism, which are threats to the entire region.
Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Turkish Ambassador Mehmet Pacaci also discussed the importance of regional connectivity, particularly through the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and the Istanbul-Tehran-Islamabad (ITI) railway project. They recognized the potential of these projects to enhance regional integration and economic cooperation.
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The officials emphasized the need to promote cultural and educational exchanges between the two countries. They discussed the possibility of establishing Turkish language centers in Pakistan and Urdu language centers in Turkiye to promote cultural understanding and exchange.
Speaking on the occasion Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said, “Pakistan stands with the strong nation of Turkiye while it goes through the tragic experience of the earthquake. He added that our relationship is rooted in history, culture, and shared values. Today’s meeting is a reaffirmation of our commitment to further strengthen this bond of friendship and cooperation.”
The meeting between Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Turkish Ambassador Mehmet Pacaci is a constructive step forward for Pakistan and Turkiye’s bilateral relations. It demonstrates how determined both nations are to strengthen their ties of friendship and cooperation to benefit one another.
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