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| Turkey to help Pakistan in all fields: Erdogan |
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Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Says terrorism a threat to humanity; Gilani renews resolve to defeat militants
By our correspondents
ISLAMABAD: Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday declared that his country would stand by Pakistan and would extend cooperation to the best of its abilities to address its needs in all areas.
Addressing a joint sitting of parliament at the Parliament House, the Turkish prime minister expressed the confidence that Pakistan would triumph in its struggle against terrorism, a common enemy of humanity. “You are not alone in your campaign against terrorism and extremism. We too have suffered heavily from terror and given many martyrs in this course,” he said.
The Turkish prime minister said: “Let me underline that both my government and the Turkish people stand by their Pakistani brothers and are ready to help address all your needs to the best of our abilities.”
Erdogan was warmly received as he entered the Parliament House accompanied by National Assembly Speaker Dr Fehmida Mirza and Senate Chairman Farooq H Naek. He is the fourth foreign head of government/state to have addressed the joint sitting of parliament and the second Turkish leader after President Kenan Evren, who addressed the joint sitting of parliament in 1985.
The national anthems of both the countries were played on his arrival at the Parliament House.In his historic address to parliament, which he delivered in the Turkish language, he said Turkey and Pakistan are two strong and important countries of the region and both are contributing to regional and global peace.
Erdogan, who spoke at length about the multifaceted historical ties between the two countries, said Pakistan has always occupied a special place in the hearts and minds of the Turkish government and its people.
The Turkish prime minister said by further strengthening bilateral cooperation both the countries could overcome the problems being faced by the region. He said Turkey regards Pakistani people’s happiness as its own happiness and Pakistani people’s agony as its own agony. “We here feel we are in the homes of our relatives and similarly you will also feel at home in Turkey,” he said.
He referred to the support of the Muslims of the subcontinent for Turkey during its war of independence and said the people of Turkey would never forget the love, affection and solidarity shown by the Muslims of the subcontinent.
The Turkish prime minister said Pakistan is a key country for regional and global stability and hoped that it would soon overcome its difficulties. He hoped that with the joint political declaration signed on Sunday; both countries would carry forward their excellent relations to even higher level in all areas. He said they should raise their trade volume to two billion dollars by the end of 2012.
The Turkish prime minister described the tripartite dialogue among Turkey, Pakistan and Afghanistan initiated by his country as a “robust process” and recalled that three meetings in this regard have helped remove misunderstandings of the past.
He said Pakistan and Turkey are taking part in various international forums such as the ECO, D-8 and the OIC, adding they are working together in all economic realms ranging from transportation infrastructure to energy and from banking to development projects.
He hoped that a road transportation agreement would be signed between the two countries soon. He also stressed the need for promoting maritime transportation between the two countries.
Recalling Shaheed Benazir Bhutto, the Turkish prime minister said on December 27, 2007, the day Benazir Bhutto embraced martyrdom, all political parties in the Turkish Grand National Assembly expressed their condolence to Pakistan by adopting a joint declaration and the people of Turkey displayed full solidarity with the people of Pakistan.
“The late Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, passing on his advice to his daughter Benazir Bhutto, in one of his last letters, wrote about his admiration for Istanbul and described the grandeur of this city where East and West meet,” he added.
Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani thanked Prime Minister Erdogan for his support and reiterated the resolve of the government and the people of Pakistan to defeat terrorism. “The people of Pakistan value their dignity and honour. They are resolute and will spare no sacrifice to defeat the designs of the enemies of Pakistan.”
Gilani said: “Our brave armed forces are rendering exemplary services in the ongoing operation against terrorists and militants. The whole nation stands united behind them.” He said Pakistan attaches great significance to its special relations with Turkey. “Our relations are characterised by mutual respect and mutuality of interests. Our support to each other is proverbial,” he added.
He said Pakistan would never forget Turkey’s generous assistance to Pakistan following the devastation caused by October 2005 earthquake. The prime minister said Pakistan greatly values the role played by Turkey in the Friends of Pakistan forum where it pledged 100 million dollars at Tokyo meeting and hosted a ministerial meeting of the forum, which speaks volumes for its goodwill for Pakistan.
Referring to his talks with the Turkish prime minister, he said they have identified new areas of cooperation in multidimensional fields. He said it is a matter of deep satisfaction that the two countries signed a landmark declaration containing a detailed roadmap for further strengthening of our exemplary relations.
He said the two countries would be signing today another agreement for exemption of visas for businessmen. The prime minister said it is gratifying that Turkey-Pakistan Parliamentary Friendship Group is one of the largest in Turkey.
The prime minister said Pakistan is pursuing a policy of peaceful co-existence with all its neighbours. He said Pakistan is committed to dialogue with India for the settlement of all disputes, including Jammu and Kashmir. “We are of the view that the composite dialogue is a win-win process for all and it is our hope that India will once again revert to this beneficial process,” he added.
The prime minister said Pakistan wants to live peacefully. “We are a responsible nuclear state with effective command and control system. He said Pakistan will maintain the minimum credible nuclear deterrence and will continue to advocate strategic restraint in the region,” he added.
He said Pakistan would continue to cooperate with the international community to promote the goals of non-proliferation but will never compromise on its vital strategic interests and sovereignty. He said Pakistan and Turkey have suffered from terrorism and the two nations are united against the evil forces, which seek to destroy our peace and damage our economy.
He said Pakistan has achieved successes in Malakand due to consensus and political will displayed by all political forces. He commended the opposition for its cooperation and demonstrating unity.
The prime minister said there exists national consensus that we will not let terrorists shape our national agenda and will take determined action wherever the writ of the government is challenged.
In her introductory remarks, National Assembly Speaker Dr Fehmida Mirza said the address of the Turkish prime minister was of historic significance and it is first address to the House by a foreign dignitary in 12 years.
The speaker paid tributes to the guest for his courageous defence of the cause of Palestinians and settlement of differences with Greece and Armenia with honour and dignity. She also referred to his initiative of Alliance of Civilisations.
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Mustafa Jatoi passes away
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Slaughter of animals, NRO beneficiaries begins on Eid
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WFP, Rescue 15 attacks’ mastermind arrested
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ISLAMABAD: The Capital Police on Friday arrested the mastermind behind the attacks on the UN World Food Programme (WFP) and the Rescue 15 offices in Islamabad.
The terrorist, identified as Jamshed Ahmad more |
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Mushahid asks Karzai not to allow use of Afghan land against Pakistan
By our correspondent
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US to tighten control of Afghan contracts: Gates
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China has stake in Kashmir: Mirwaiz
News Desk
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Attack on policemen in Peshawar
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‘Musharraf funnelling money to improve image’
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Sen Lugar’s wife arrested, charged with drinking, hit-and-run
News Desk
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briefs...
Bombers kill 23 in Afghanistan
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ISSN 1563-9479 
