Turkiye, Pakistan Reaffirm Deep-Rooted Ties, Commit to Boost Trade to US$5 Billion

ISTANBUL, May 26 (Bernama-Anadolu) -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan received Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif at the Dolmabahce Working Office in Istanbul on Sunday, where both leaders reaffirmed the historic ties between the two countries and pledged to boost bilateral trade to US$5 billion.

According to a statement by the Turkish Communications Directorate, the two leaders discussed a wide range of bilateral, regional and global issues during the meeting, Anadolu Ajansi (AA) reported.

Erdogan expressed satisfaction over hosting Prime Minister Sharif and his delegation, noting that Turkiye and Pakistan shared deep-rooted historical, human, and political relations.

bootstrap slideshow

“We confirmed and strengthened our mutual will to enhance the deep-rooted historical, human and political ties between Türkiye and Pakistan in every field,” Erdogan said in a post on the social media platform X.

He added that the meeting further consolidated “our unshakable bonds, cooperation, solidarity and brotherhood between our countries and peoples,” and extended his heartfelt greetings to the Pakistani people.

Sharif, in a post on X following the talks, said it was an honour to meet “my dear brother President Recep Tayyip Erdogan” and conveyed the gratitude of the Pakistani people to the Turkish nation.

He thanked Erdogan for his “resolute support” during Pakistan’s recent standoff with India, describing it as resulting in an “overwhelming victory” for Pakistan.

The Pakistani prime minister said the two sides reviewed progress in trade and investment cooperation and reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthen bilateral ties.

Erdogan added Turkiye would continue to work towards enhancing cooperation in all areas, particularly energy, transportation and defence.

He underlined the importance of increasing solidarity between the two countries in the fields of education, intelligence sharing and technological support in the fight against terrorism.

He also called for greater efficiency in the Istanbul-Tehran-Islamabad railway line and noted that steps in the field of education would further strengthen ties.

Erdogan expressed appreciation for Pakistan’s principled stance on the Palestinian issue, adding that Türkiye was making every effort to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza as quickly as possible.

Among those present at the meeting were Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Minister of National Defence Yasar Guler, Director of the National Intelligence Organisation Ibrahim Kalin, Communications Director Fahrettin Altun, Presidential Adviser on Foreign Policy and Security Akif Cagatay Kilic, and Commander of the Turkish Land Forces General Selcuk Bayraktaroglu.

-- BERNAMA-ANADOLU