By Shakeel Ahmed
ISLAMABAD—Pakistan and Turkey have signed a joint political declaration and two MoUs to bolster cooperation through High Level Cooperation Council (HLCC) in different fields including defence, trade, investment, industry, agriculture and infrastructure development.
The Declaration was signed by Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani and Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan after their talks in Islamabad on Sunday.
Under the Declaration, a High Level Cooperation Council was established which will be jointly chaired by the Prime Ministers of the two countries who will meet at least once a year
The joint political declaration referred to the relationship between the two countries that rests on the strong foundations of bonds of history, culture, fraternity and solidarity, solid record of mutual assistance and solidarity in times of difficulty and says that Turkey and Pakistan share the objectives of the promotion of regional and international peace, stability and prosperity.
The two countries expressed their determination to build on the staunch people to people bonds to elevate their cooperation to unprecedented levels for the benefit of their peoples. Both countries agreed to cooperate to overcome regional and global challenges and to benefit from opportunities.
The joint political declaration reiterated the resolve of the leadership to reinforce their close cooperation in different areas, and for this purpose both sides decided to form a bilateral High Level Cooperation Council (HLCC).
The main purpose of the HLCC is to oversee and steer the unique partnership and intensified cooperation between the two countries. Meetings of the High Level Cooperation Council will be held alternatively in Islamabad and Ankara and in between preparatory meetings will be held at the level of Foreign Ministers and senior officials.
The intensified cooperation between Turkey and Pakistan as two partners will cover a wide-range of issues with a focus on practical cooperation in political, diplomatic, economic, energy, cultural, security and military fields.
The two leaders agreed that for enhancing cooperation to increase economic and trade relations to the mutual benefit of the two countries and to achieve that end decided to discuss a Free Trade Agreement.
It was decided to establishing the coordination office of the Turkish Cooperation and Development Agency - TIKA - in Islamabad on mutually agreed terms to further development economic and trade relations as well as instituting a CEO’s forum on the sidelines of high level visits in the future..
Other important features of the joint political statement include promoting cooperation in contracting and consultancy services and encouraging their respective business communities to establish closer contacts with a view to exploring business opportunities in both countries as well as in the third countries; supporting cooperation in the field of road and railway transport infrastructure with the aim of connecting Pakistan with Europe through Turkey; initiating negotiations on “Maritime Agreement” in order to facilitate the maritime transportation, develop cooperation in technical matters and exchange of expertise and encouraging public and private sector companies to intensify cooperation in reciprocal investment initiatives, especially in the fields of infrastructure, construction and mining, as well as improving commercial relations between Turkey and Pakistan.
It was also agreed to cooperate in the field of energy by establishing partnerships between Turkish and Pakistani companies; materializing hydro electric power generation projects which would assist Pakistan and Turkey in meeting their electricity needs, as well as organizing training programs in both countries in this field.
The two sides agreed to exchange of trade delegations between the two countries and participating in International Trade Fairs to be held in either country and intensification and diversification of destination of flights of the national carriers between Turkey and Pakistan.
On security and military cooperation, the two leaders agreed to take measures to broaden and deepen security cooperation between security agencies of the two countries in their comprehensive campaign against terrorism and extremism, illicit arms trafficking and preventing financial, logistical and all other support for terrorists and terrorist organizations;
In line with the existing Military Cooperation Agreements, the two sides agreed to intensify the ongoing cooperation between the Turkish and Pakistani General Staffs, particularly in the areas of training and education and to enhance trade relations and investments in defence related industries by encouraging partnerships between their respective public and private companies.
Under the first MoU signed by the Finance Minister Shaukat Tarin and the Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davuto?lu, the Cooperation Programme will cover the fields of capacity building and implementation of development projects/programmes in Pakistan.
TIKA, within the framework of Cooperation Programme, will provide assistance through assignment of experts, providing material, equipment and other facilities for the development projects, imparting training to Pakistani personnel, and bearing all expenses relating to the establishment and operation of the Programme Coordination Office (PCO).
The second MoU between Foreign Service Training Academies of the two countries signed by Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and his Turkish counterpart provides for developing cooperation in training and improving professional skills of diplomatic personnel, exchange of information related to foreign policy, international relations, international law, international economic relations, diplomatic norms and practice and other academic disciplines that are relevant for the practice of diplomacy and international relations, be they political, economic, cultural, financial, or other.
Agencies Add: Pakistan and Turkey have decided to upgrade their comprehensive strategic partnership and intensify political economic, trade cooperation besides undertaking joint ventures in defence field.
Addressing a joint press conference here Sunday with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani said the two sides have decided for the establishment of higher level cooperation council which will meet annually under the two Prime Ministers to steer unique partnership between the two countries to even greater heights.
He said, “it has been decided to reenergize our trade relations cognizant of the pivotal role of the private sectors in trade enhancement and economic development”.
The Prime Minister said they have agreed to launch a chief executive officers forum. The forum's meeting will be held on the sidelines of the leadership level visits, which will help unleash potential of private sector.
He said Pakistan and Turkey have convergent views on regional and international issues and they condemn terrorism and extremism. He said they reiterated unwavering resolve to defeat this menace that continues to claims innocent lives.
He said that he briefed his Turkish counterpart on Pakistan's comprehensive strategy against extremism and militancy and both the countries renewed their commitment to jointly counter terrorism and other social evils.
On Afghanistan, Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani said they focused on peace and stability as well as coordinated efforts for trans regional cooperation and joint projects.
He appreciated Turkey's constructive role in Afghanistan and said Pakistan looks forward for a continued engagement for ensuring prosperity and development in the region. He said Pakistan greatly value strategic relationship with Turkey which is rooted in our shared interest, common concerns and perceptions on regional and international issues.
He lauded the Turkish Prime Minister's commitment of further strengthening the special relationship and assured Pakistan's steadfast support for achieving common objective.
On this occasion, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said they talked about bilateral relations, mutual concerns and problems of regional and global dimensions of terrorism. They also deliberate on military, political, commercial and cultural affairs, Afghanistan, terrorism and joint ventures in the area of military and mutual investments.
He said in political issues and international platforms, they had always cooperated and this cooperation will be enhanced at a greater level.
He said they were focused on prospective joint ventures in the areas of military and national defence and hoped to achieve it through a joint platform. He also reiterated combating terrorism through intelligence sharing.
He said Pakistan and Turkey are going through a rough time and hoped to pass through these problems on the basis of mutual solidarity.
He said Pakistan is playing a pivotal role in combating the menace of extremism and terrorism. He said this menace has no religion and recognizes no border and this should be condemned in all its manifestations.
Referring to the economic cooperation, Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the trade volume between the two countries currently stand at seven hundred and forty one million dollars which should be enhanced further. He said they agreed to enhance the trade volume to $ 2 billion in the next two years. He said both the countries have a lot to export to each other and increase the trade volume.
He said the Turkish private sector could play an important role in the development of infrastructure, housing and communication projects.
Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he was happy to be able to pay a visit to Pakistan which they consider as a second home. He said he is accompanied by a strong 80-member businessmen delegation who will exchange views with their counterpart to boost economic and trade cooperation.
Responding to a question, Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani said that there was unanimity of views between the two sides to jointly fight the menace of terrorism because both the countries are victims of this menace. He said Turkey has facilitated tripartite meeting between Pakistan-Turkey and Afghanistan and this forum could facilitate to evolve a common strategy to combat terrorism. He said Turkey is also holding a regional conference of neighbours of Afghanistan which will help collectively combat terrorism.
To a question by a Turkish journalist, Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani said that all the institutions including parliament and judiciary are working in the right direction and there is absolutely no threat to democracy.
About relations with neighbouring countries, the Prime Minister said Pakistan wants cordial relations with all neighbouring countries. He said that Pakistan wants to solve regional issues at the regional level.
The Turkish Prime Minister, to a question, said that his country already has 1700 troops in Afghanistan for logistics support and there is no need to send more troops there. He said in fact the Turkish troops are in Afghanistan as a peace force.
Asked if Turkey as a member of NATO could persuade the ISAF forces to check infiltration into Pakistan from Afghan side, he said Turkey would be taking over the Command of ISAF in November. He will personally discuss the matter with NATO Secretary General about it and do every thing possible to check any infiltration.
To a question about the attacks in Iranian where in Deputy Commander of the National Guards was killed and Iranian allegations that the Jundola Group head was in Pakistan, the Turkish Prime Minister said the issue was discussed with Prime Minister Gilani and after Pakistan visit he would be going to Iran. He would discuss it with the Iranian leaders. He said we need to move together to help restore peace in the region. He hoped for active cooperation to find solutions to problems that arise in the region.
Earlier, Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani held talks with Turkish Prime Minister and discussed the entire gamut of bilateral relations in various areas. Matters relating to the regional security and international issues also came under discussion during the meeting.
During the talks, Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani was assisted by Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Commerce Minister Makhdoom Amin Fahim, Interior Minister Rehman Malik, Finance Minister Shaukat Tarin while Mr. Raccep Tayyip was assisted by his cabinet members.
|
