ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Turkey have agreed to conclude a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) at the earliest to exploit the true potential of economic co-operation and enhance bilateral trade up to $10 billion in due course. This was agreed between the visiting Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif during their talks; and it was announced later at a joint press conference.
The two premiers held a one-on-one meeting in which matters of mutual interest came under discussion. Both the Prime Ministers led their delegations at the 4th Meeting of Pakistan-Turkey High Level Strategic Co-operation Council (HLSCC).
Speaking at the joint news conference, the Turkish Prime Minister said that in the high-level strategic co-operation council mechanism, both sides shared many regional and international issues.
On bilateral issues, he said the two sides have very close co-operation related to security and fight against terror. On trade, energy, transportation and several other fields, he said that they have taken important decisions. "We decided to conclude a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) as soon as possible in coming months," he said, adding it was noticed that there was a slight decrease in bilateral volume which the two sides want to increase to $ 3 billion in next two years and up to $10 billion in coming years. "We have a great potential in trade but we need more interaction and co-operation and a better atmosphere for the FTA which will be completed very soon," he added.
On transportation, he said "Turkey and Pakistan are closer than neighbours," adding that because of a geographical distance, we need to have much more efficient transportation linkages. "Therefore, we want to have more frequency of Turkish Airlines and Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flights as well as co-operation between the civil aviations, railways connectivity and also maritime co-operation in transportation," he added.
To promote trade, he said, we need more transportation and also on energy issue and other areas of co-operation like disaster management, the two sides really want to work together.
He said that the two sides have signed 11 additional MoUs and agreements while in the three high-level strategic co-operation council meetings earlier, the two sides have signed 40 agreements and now we have 51 agreements. He said that there will be a follow-up mechanism regarding these agreements and he expressed the confidence that the Turkish and Pakistani co-operation will be strengthened in future.
On regional matters, he said Turkey and Pakistan are two important countries in the region and the Asia and both are working closely and co-ordinating our strategies in different areas of challenges.
On Afghanistan, he said peace and stability in Afghanistan is peace and stability of Turkey and Pakistan, adding there is a trilateral mechanism between Turkey, Pakistan and Afghanistan.
He said the foreign ministers of the three countries will meet again and the trilateral summit will be held in Turkey as soon as possible. "After the transition in Afghanistan, we are very happy to see that President Ashraf Ghani and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif have an excellent co-operation," he added.
He said that Turkey also supports Pakistan's efforts to have good neighbourly relations with India, adding stability in the Subcontinent is essential for Asia and Turkey will always contribute to the peace-oriented initiatives as well as other challenges.
He said that he also briefed PM Sharif on the situation of Syria, Iraq, Cyprus issue and on many other issues around Turkey. "We have common position on terrorism and regarding all Islamophobic attempts in different parts of the world," he added.
The Turkish Prime Minister said that he considers Pakistan as his second home and even his first home. He said that it is a tradition in Turkey, whenever a Prime Minister takes over the position, one of the first destinations should be Islamabad.
He said that Turkey and Pakistan have strong historical ties, adding both the nations have very close spiritual and cultural ties. He said that the Turkish people never forget to help Pakistani people in difficult times. "Whenever there is any problem in Turkey, we have always seen the solidarity of the people of Pakistan. Therefore, I want to express first, our solidarity with Pakistan in the fight against terror and also regarding all the disaster management issues," he said.
He also announced additional $20 million assistance for Temporary Displaced Persons (TDPs) and the flood affectees. In his remarks, Nawaz said that Pakistan and Turkey are indispensible partners as they work assiduously to promote peace and prosperity for their peoples and the region.
He said the talks were wide-ranging and the HLSCC provides strategic focus and direction to our bilateral relationship - covering key areas like political co-operation, trade, finance and banking, energy, transport and communications, education, and culture and tourism.
"We reaffirmed our joint commitment to continue to transform our special relationship into a strong strategic partnership," he said, adding the two sides agreed to give a central thrust to bilateral trade and investment co-operation. "We are embarking on new trade liberalisation initiatives and would work towards an FTA," he said, adding our security, defence and counter-terrorism co-operation remains robust.
He said that the MoUs and agreements signed would further enhance bilateral co-operation in diverse fields - including economic and social sectors. "We have no doubt that Pakistan-Turkey relations would continue to grow from strength to strength - serving as a powerful factor for stability in the region and beyond", he said, adding both the countries are pivotal states, playing a vitally important role in their respective regions and crafting effective responses to challenges and opportunities.
He congratulated the Turkish Prime Minister on Turkey's getting Presidency of G-20 this year, and appreciated that the involvement of Turkish companies in various projects in energy, infrastructure, municipal services and low-cost housing has increased in Pakistan.
The Prime Minster said that the Metro Bus, the wind energy, and solid waste management projects are the shining examples of our growing collaboration. The Prime Minister said that despite efforts our trade remains below $ 1 billion and a lot more needs to be done to enhance mutual trade. Both sides exchanged their ideas to promote economic and cultural co-operation and to expedite the pace of implementing the MOUs/ Agreements already signed between the two countries.
The Prime Minister said that our respective ministries and departments should carry out this process forward effectively, and the Joint Working Groups should closely follow-up for full implementation of our decisions.
He said that relationship between Pakistan and Turkey is unique in inter-state relations - for the depth of mutual trust and abiding commitment. "We just witnessed Turkey's unfailing support and solidarity again, when our children were mercilessly attacked by terrorists in Peshawar," he said. He also reiterated gratitude to the Turkish people and leadership for solidly standing by us in that extremely difficult hour.
He said that they also exchanged views on the regional situation. "I apprised Prime Minister Davuto?lu of our endeavours for peace, stability and development in South Asia - as part of our vision of a "peaceful neighbourhood", he said, adding he highlighted the efforts Pakistan has made for a good-neighbourly relationship with India and our commitment to a peaceful resolution of the Kashmir dispute.
He hoped that Pakistan's constructive approach would be reciprocated by the other side, in the interest of regional peace and strategic stability. The PM said that he also highlighted the historic new phase commenced in Pakistan-Afghanistan relations and the intensifying multi-dimensional co-operation on political, security, counter-terrorism, and trade and economic issues.
He said that he also shared his deep anguish and unreserved condemnation of any attempts to vilify Islam and justify sacrilegious acts in the name of freedom of expression. "While condemning terrorism in all forms, Pakistan and Turkey have reaffirmed their resolve to work together to oppose any form of Islamophobia", he added.
The two sides also signed 11 different Agreements/Protocols/MOUs that include; (i) Protocol of Co-operation between Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Ankara Chamber of Commerce, (ii) Protocol of Co-operation between Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Ankara Chamber of Commerce, (iii) Protocol of Co-operation between Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Kaysori Chamber of Commerce, (iv) Executive Protocol for Scientific Co-operation between Pakistan Academy of Sciences and Turkish Academy of Sciences, (v) Agreement for Scientific Co-operation between Pakistan Academy of Sciences and Turkish Academy of Sciences, (vi) MoU between Turkish Accreditation Agency (TURKAK) and Pakistan National Accreditation Council, (vii) Co-operation Protocol between Turkish Patent Institute (TPI) of Turkey and Intellectual Property Organisation, (viii) MoU between Oil and Gas Development Company, Pakistan Petroleum Ltd and Turkish National Oil Company, (ix) MoUs between Turkey and Pakistan on Sister Seaport, (x) Joint Declaration Strengthening Pakistan- Turkey Strategic Relationship and, (xi) Additional Protocol to the agreement on Investment on Promotion and Protection of Investment.
Earlier, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif received the Turkish Prime Minster at the PM House. The Prime Minister warmly welcomed his Turkish counterpart and a smartly turned out contingent of armed forces presented the Guard of Honour to the Turkish Prime Minister. The Prime Minister hosted a luncheon in honour of the Turkish Prime Minister.
Comments
Comments are closed.