Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday assured Pakistan of his country's full support to combat terrorism and extremism for maintaining peace and stability in the world. In his historical address to the joint session of the Parliament, the Turkish Premier, who is on a three-day official visit to Pakistan, underlined that stable Pakistan is vital to the whole region, saying that the Pak-Turkish relations are extraordinary, having no other example in the world.
Along with parliamentarians, the joint address of the Turkish Prime Minister was also witnessed by a large number of members of the Turkish delegation, diplomats, Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Pervaiz Kayani, Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff General Tariq Majid, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Rao Qamer Sulaiman, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Noaman Bashir, and a large number of army and civil dignitaries.
The Turkish Prime Minister said that his country considers the problems faced by Pakistan as its own and always offered all-out co-operation. He praised the sacrifices rendered by Pakistan for fighting the menace of terrorism and extremism and offered assurance that the Turkish government and people stand by Pakistan in its hour of need.
Turkey and Pakistan, he said, are two strong states of the region, and both countries are contributing to the regional and global peace efforts. "As long as we keep on strengthening our historical ties...not a single regional problem can hinder our resolve for peace and stability", he stressed.
He told his audience: "You are not alone in your campaign against terrorism and extremism. We, too, have suffered heavily in war on terror, and given many sacrifices. In this context let me underline that both my Government and the Turkish people stand by their Pakistani brothers, as has always been the case; and are ready to help address all needs to the best of their abilities." He said: "We are confident that Pakistan would certainly prevail in its struggle against terrorism, a common enemy of humanity."
The Prime Minister of Turkey stressed the need for increasing the number of airlines between Pakistan and Turkey and putting into effect the road transportation agreement as soon as possible and to facilitate the maritime transportation. He said that the two countries should attach particular importance to co-operation in the energy sector and defence industry projects.
The Turkish Prime Minister also urged all Friends of Democratic Pakistan to fulfil their pledges made during donors' conference in Tokyo in April this year. Tayyip said that Turkey has been part of the Friends of Democratic Pakistan Group, "and on every occasion we have been underlining the importance of urgent tangible results that will address the just expectations of Pakistan". He recalled that Turkey also owes gratitude to the people of Pakistan for the support that Muslims of the subcontinent provided during its War of Independence.
"How can we erase from our minds your grandmothers who have donated their dowries, jewelleries to us in the years of our national struggle; the legendary heroes of the Caliphate Movement claiming the rights of our nations and sacrificing their lives for that, such as Ali Brothers and Chaudri's," he recalled.
"This is the reason", he said, "that Turkey considers Pakistan's success as its own, and its problems are also Turkey's problem. Turkey regards Pakistani people's happiness as its own happiness, and Pakistani people's agony as its own agony".
He underscored that Pakistan is a key country for regional and global stability at the crossroads of South, Central and West Asia. The Turkish Prime Minister added that the efficient co-operation between Turkey and Pakistan is not only limited to bilateral relations but covers also a much broader ground.
The Turkish Prime Minister said: "With the Joint Political Declaration that we have signed yesterday at the conclusion of our meeting with my dear brother Prime Minister Gilani, we will carry forward our excellent relations to an even higher level in all areas.
"We will particularly strive to accelerate our economic and trade relations and inshallah we will raise our trade volume to 2 billion US dollars until the end of 2012." He said: "The businessmen in my delegation and their Pakistani counterpart have extensively discussed how to boost our co-operation in main industries."
Erdogan also highlighted in his speech that Turkey and Pakistan are taking part together in various fora such as ECO, D-8 and the OIC. "We are working together in all economic realms, ranging from transportation, infrastructure to energy lines, from banking to development projects for a peaceful and prosperous future for young generations together", he added.
He said: "This summer, in a ceremony that I attended together with Prime Minister Gilani, we have taken a significant step in railroad transportation, whereby the first freight train that departed Islamabad on August 14, 2009 arrived in Istanbul via Tehran in 14 days. "The new era ushered in with the February 18, 2008 elections in Pakistan, and the ground that you have covered in democratisation and economic reform is very important."
He appreciated Pakistan's relations with Afghanistan, saying that the ground covered by Pakistan in the last two years in terms of its relations with Afghanistan "deserves every appreciation". "You will certainly elicit tangible results from your positive determination aimed at improving relations with India", he added.
Three summit meetings, he said, held so far in the framework of the Trilateral Summit Process of Turkey, Pakistan and Afghanistan is highly appreciated, exemplary and solidly ground reality. He said that Turkey never forgot the invaluable support coming from the hearts of the Pakistani people following the earthquake disaster on August 17,1999, which shook the western cities of Turkey, "and we also felt the pain deep in our hearts of the earthquake on October 8, 2008, which claimed the lives of 75 thousand Pakistani brothers".
He said that when the news of the earthquake was received, "we immediately rushed support of Pakistan in all our means and myself paid a visit to Muzaffarabad". "As long as we are in solidarity and continue our historical ties of brotherhood and sisterhood that stems from history, not a single regional problem be an obstacle in our way to peace and stability".
He commemorated Benazir Bhutto, saying that she was one of the most distinguished leaders, not only in Pakistan but the whole world, who fell victim to a heinous terrorist attack two years ago. "With these thoughts, I salute the Honourable Members of your Esteemed Parliament with my deepest respect and consideration. Pakistan Zindabad! Turkish-Pakistani Friendship Zindabad."
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