ISLAMABAD: Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan declared here on Monday that his country would continue to stand by Pakistan in the war on terror and strengthen relations between the two countries.
Mr Erdogan, who was addressing a joint session of the two houses of parliament, was warmly applauded when he said that Turkey and Pakistan were two strong states of the region and were contributing to regional and global peace efforts.
With their solidarity and historical ties of brotherhood, he said, no regional problem could become an obstacle to their peace and stability.
The Turkish premier’s address to parliament was considered by political observers here as significant because it was made in the wake of serious threats of terrorist attacks.
Strict security measures were taken for the occasion and the entire Constitution Avenue along which the Presidency, Prime Minister’s House, Parliament House, Supreme Court, PM’s secretariat, auditor general’s offices and the Federal Shariat Court are located was sealed and closed to traffic.
In his brief remarks welcoming Mr Erdogan, Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani said: ‘Pakistan takes great pride in its special, deep-rooted relations with Turkey.’
Earlier, National Assembly Speaker Dr Fehmida Mirza who presided over the session recounted numerous similarities and values shared by the two countries with special reference to the commonality of culture and literature dominated by Maulana Roomi and Allama Iqbal.
The session was attended also by the wife of the Turkish premier and members of his entourage.
Mr Erdogan, who was earlier decorated with the highest civil award, Nishan-i-Pakistan, expressed confidence that Pakistan would surmount the challenge of terrorism which was a common enemy of the entire humanity.
President Asif Ali Zardari conferred the award at the Presidency in recognition of Prime Minister Erdogan’s ‘visionary leadership and outstanding contributions in strengthening Pakistan-Turkey relations.’
While Leader of the Opposition in National Assembly Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan attended the session, PML-Q’s Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi and Faisal Saleh Hayat were conspicuous by their absence.
The Turkish prime minister also mentioned the anguish that his country and its people felt on the devastating earthquake that had shaken the northern parts of Pakistan and Kashmir in 2005 and recalled his visit to AJK immediately after the quake and his second visit to the region on Monday.
Referring to the hardship faced by Pakistan because of the war on terror, he said: ‘You are not alone in your campaign against terrorism and extremism as we too have suffered heavily from terror, given many martyrs.
‘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.’
Later, Prime Minister Gilani reiterated the resolve of the government and the people of Pakistan in the fight against terrorism and militancy and vowed to spare no sacrifice to defeat enemies’ designs.
‘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.
Mr Erdogan expressed the hope that Pakistan would overcome its problems through national reconciliation and solidarity.
He said Pakistan had always occupied a special place in the hearts and minds of the Turkish government and people.
He said Turkey had been a part of the Friends of Democratic Pakistan group from the very beginning and had always underlined the need of redressing the issues confronting Pakistan because it was the key country for regional and global stability.
Mr Erdogan called upon all members of the FoDP to fulfil pledges made at the donors’ conference in Tokyo on April 25.
He said cooperation between Pakistan and Turkey was not limited to bilateral ties, but covered a much broader ground.
He described the Turkey- Pakistan-Afghanistan tripartite arrangement initiated by Ankara as a ‘robust process’ and recalled that its three meetings had helped to allay misunderstandings.
He said a parliamentary dimension was being given to the process of strengthening partnership in all areas and members of the foreign relations committees’ of parliaments of the three countries had met in Ankara a few months ago.
Prime Minister Gilani said: ‘Our brave armed forces are rendering exemplary services in the ongoing law-enforcement operation against terrorists and militants. The whole nation stands united behind them,’ he said.
He said the success of the military operation in Malakand was achieved as a result of sacrifices by the valiant armed forces and complete consensus and political will displayed by all political forces.
‘It is imperative that Nato and Isaf forces in Afghanistan remain vigilant and effectively curb cross-border infiltration and supply of arms to terrorists and militants,’ he said.
He said Pakistan would maintain a credible minimum nuclear deterrence and continue to advocate strategic restraint in South Asia and the importance of maintaining strategic stability in the nuclearised region.
He said Pakistan would continue to cooperate with the international community to promote the goals of non-proliferation, but would never compromise on its vital strategic interests, its sovereignty and integrity.
About relations with India, the prime minister said Pakistan’s policy was one of peaceful coexistence with all its neighbours.
‘We are committed to a serious, sustained and constructive across-the-board engagement with India for the settlement of all disputes, including Jammu and Kashmir.
‘We view the composite dialogue as a win-win process that advances the cause of peace in this region. It is our sincere hope that India will once again view this process as having immense potential for the mutual benefit of both the countries,’ he added.
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