Pak, Turk ties to ensure stability in region, says visiting Turkish FM
By Our Diplomatic Correspondent

ISLAMABAD—Pakistan and Turkey need a more deep and wider relationship in trade, economy and defence to ensure prosperity of their people and for peace and stability in the region, Turkey’s Foreign Minister Ali Babacan said.
The Turkish minister who was on a two-day visit to Pakistan, the first by any FM, after the new coalition government came into power in Islamabad, said both the countries were encouraging cooperation between their private sectors in all areas.
“We are encouraging our firms to exert further efforts to increase level of cooperation in defence,” Babacan said in an exclusive interview with APP. He said the current level of trade still does not reflect the existing potential between the two countries. Babacan said though the trade volume between the two countries had risen to 690 million dollars over five years, but there was a wide potential to push it up to US one billion dollars in next two years, with the assistance from their private sectors. “We must encourage our businessmen to enhance their trade related activities and the two countries must create a business- friendly environment for them,” he said.
The Turkish FM said Pakistan was a capable country, having the strength to overcome all the challenges facing it, when asked about expectations of his country from the new government. Babacan expressed confidence that the Pakistani nation will exhibit strong national solidarity for a bright future of their country. Ali Babacan vowing that “Turkey will continue to stand by Pakistan in all its endeavours” and added that the two countries have a unique relationship and their mutual feelings of affection stems from the deep roots they have in history. “Turkey is determined to carry this on for the generations to come.” he said.
He described his discussions with Pakistani leaders; including President Pervez Musharraf, Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and other officials as “fruitful” and was optimist that the friendly ties will continue to flourish in future.
He said the strategic dialogue mechanism, launched by the two countries on Saturday, will help the two countries translate “their political mutual will into some concrete projects.”