ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan co-chaired the second meeting of High-Level Cooperation Council and agreed to boost bilateral relations in all sectors, particularly energy, communication, trade and culture.

The meeting at the Prime Minister House on Tuesday was joined by high-level delegations from Pakistan and Turkey who worked out details to strengthen cooperation in various fields.

Prime Minister Gilani said Pakistan considered Turkey as its brotherly country and intended to seek cooperation with it in multiple areas.

The Turkish prime minister said his country was ready to expand the scope of its ties with Pakistan.

The Turkish PM that said it respected Pakistan’s decision on the Nato supply routes and endorses its demand for an apology from the United States over the killing of its troops at Salala check-post.

PM Erdogan jointly addressing a press conference with PM Gilani after the inking of nine agreements for cooperation in diverse fields said the opening of the Nato supply route was the discretion of Pakistan. “However, as a member of the Nato, Turkey believes that such issues should be resolved through mutual dialogue,” he said.

Pakistan had halted the Nato supply passing through its territory following a decision by the Defence Committee of the Cabinet after an incursion of the NATO and ISAF troops in its territory, on November 26,2011 in which 24 troops were martyred.

Prime Minister Gilani said the final decision to open, what Pakistan now terms as the Ground Lines of Communication, and its timing, would be made in line with the recommendations of the parliamentary committee.

Finance Minister Dr Abdul Hafeez Sheikh, Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira, Communications Minister Dr Arbab Alamgir Khan, Minister for National Heritage and Integration Samina Khalid Ghurki, Railways Minister Haji Ghulam Ahmad Bilour, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Nawabzada Malik Amad Khan and Chairman Board of Investment Saleem H. Mandviwala were present at the meeting.

The first High-Level Cooperation Council meeting was held in Turkey in December 2010 in which Prime Minister Gilani represented Pakistan.

Earlier, A guard of honour was presented to the Turkish Prime Minister at the Prime Minister House.