President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will visit Pakistan this week as part of a three-nation tour to strengthen ties with Malaysia, Indonesia, and Pakistan. His meetings will focus on various cooperation areas and international issues, including conflicts in Palestine, Syria, and Ukraine.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is set to visit Pakistan later this week as part of a three-nation tour aimed at strengthening relations with Malaysia, Indonesia, and Pakistan. His journey, which begins today in Malaysia, will continue to Indonesia before concluding in Pakistan. The visit will focus on enhancing cooperation across various sectors and addressing pressing international issues, including the Palestine-Israel conflict, the situation in Syria, and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.
The relations between Turkey and Pakistan have reached unprecedented heights during President Erdogan’s tenure, particularly in defense collaboration. Significant agreements have been established concerning the procurement of naval vessels and uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs). Importantly, Pakistan was the very first nation to engage in a contract for Turkey’s domestically produced naval vessels under the MILGEM (National Ship) project.
Erdogan’s last official visit to Pakistan occurred in February 2020, when he held discussions with then-President Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Imran Khan. This visit aimed to fortify the strategic partnership and enhance economic relations between the two countries. Notably, President Asif Ali Zardari recently encountered President Erdogan during a brief stopover at Istanbul Airport before heading to Portugal, where they addressed bilateral relations and mutual interests.
During the airport meeting, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan extended a warm welcome to President Zardari. The dialogue between Zardari and Erdogan covered various topics pertinent to their countries’ shared interests and ongoing collaboration. President Zardari is currently in Portugal to pay respects following the passing of Prince Karim Aga Khan and to meet with Prince Rahim Al-Husseini, the newly appointed hereditary leader.
In conclusion, President Erdogan’s upcoming visit to Pakistan marks a significant step in enhancing Turkiye’s diplomatic and defense relations within Asia. The tour underscores the commitment to address mutual concerns on the international agenda while building upon the strong ties established between Turkiye and Pakistan. The ongoing discussions further aim to broaden cooperation in key sectors for mutual benefit.
Original Source: www.dawn.com
