FM against transferring Afghan problems to Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Turkey Tuesday agreed on holding a regional summit on Afghanistan and its neighbours in November to discuss peace and security.

Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi addressing a joint stakeout with his Turkish counterpart Ahmed Davutoglu said the summit to be held in Turkey would address the issues of regional importance including economic development.

Foreign Minister Qureshi said Turkey enjoys excellent relations with Afghanistan and can play an important role in bringing Pakistan and Afghanistan closer.

The Foreign Minister stressed the need for mutual cooperation between the two countries at diverse levels.

He said Pakistan and Turkey enjoy excellent relations and called upon the two governments for increasing the potential of tourism between them, thus turning friendliness into tourism.

Qureshi said Pakistan and Turkey has a tradition of strong relations which can be enhanced by encouraging the students to study in each other’s universities.

He appreciated Turkey’s role in Friends of Democratic Pakistan and for intending to hold second ministerial meeting in Istanbul in September.

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmed Davutoglu in his speech conveyed his country’s warm sentiments for Pakistani brethren and said Pakistan’s prosperity and development greatly mattered for Turkey.

He said Turkey considers Pakistan as its strategic partner with the ties spanning in international and regional affairs.

He said Turkish people value Pakistan as their second home and reiterated his government’s commitment to provide assistance to Pakistan for the rehabilitation of IDPs.

He said Turkish International Development Agency and Red Crescent were fully involved in helping IDPs.

He urged the international community and Muslim countries to express solidarity with Pakistan and provide all out help for IDPs.

Shah Mehmood Qureshi replying to a question said consistent military surge in Afghanistan might have implications on Pakistan particularly in Balochistan.

He said Pakistan had talked through political and military ways at all levels to the stakeholders that transferring the problems from Afghanistan to Pakistan will not help resolve the issue.

He said there should be a civilian surge to promote reconciliatory efforts in Afghanistan to resolve issue.