President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has assured Pakistan of Turkiye’s “unconditional support” in the fight against terrorism as the two countries sign several agreements to boost bilateral ties.

“In the seventh session of our council, which we just concluded, we have agreed to further strengthen our relation,” he said in a joint press conference after the agreements-signing ceremony in Islamabad on Thursday.

Erdogan arrived in Islamabad shortly after midnight on Thursday and was greeted by PM Shehbaz and President Asif Ali Zardari in Rawalpindi.

Upon his arrival at the Prime Minister’s House in Islamabad, he received a warm welcome. A smartly-turned out military contingent presented the guard of honour, accompanied by the national anthems of both nations. After the ceremony, he, along with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, met with cabinet members and Chief of Army Staff General Syed Asim Munir.

“Within the framework of this visit, we have signed a total of 24 agreements and MoUs (memoranda of understanding) in the fields of trade, water resources, agriculture, energy, culture, family, and social services, along with science, banking, education, defence, and health,” the Turkish president said.

“Before the council meeting, my brother Shehbaz Sharif and I not only discussed our bilateral relations, but also regional and global developments, extensively,” he said.

Erdogan went on to add that the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council was the “highest-level mechanism to institutionalise the centuries-old friendship.”

In the HLSCC meeting, both sides agreed to strengthen ties and also later signed 24 MoUs and agreements to enhance cooperation in trade, water resources, agriculture, energy, culture, science, banking, education, defence and health.

President Erdogan encouraged Turkish investors to engage more in Pakistan and develop flagship projects.

Both sides had agreed to continue efforts to reach the goal of $5 billion trade volume and considered expanding the scope of the Goods Trade Agreement in the first stage, he added.

They observed that the military dialogue and cooperation in the defence sector had grown trade and investment relations besides agreeing for the projects in procurement and joint manufacturing.

While expressing gratitude to PM Shehbaz for being the first leader to visit Turkiye after the earthquake, he appreciated Pakistan’s sacrifices against terror and for regional stability and assured his country’s “unconditional support in this regard.”

The Turkish president said that Turkiye stood in solidarity with the Kashmiri people and sought the resolution of the issue as per United Nations resolutions and aspirations of the Kashmiri people.

He appreciating Pakistan’s support to the Northern Cyprus cause. Turkiye made efforts with Pakistan at the United Nations and OIC to support the Palestinian people and would keep up efforts for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with Quds Al Sharif as its capital, the Turkish president added.

Together we will fight terrorism: PM Shehbaz

PM Shehbaz said that both sides discussed a range of issues including trade, strategic and defense cooperation and signed accords for multiple cooperation including for a special economic zone to be built by a Turkish firm.

“I assure you that I will work closely with you and our teams will work closely to convert these MoUs into action,” he said.

While welcoming the Turkish president who was visiting after five years, he said that the bilateral relations were not carved out after Pakistan’s independence but went back centuries.

He said during the Turkish Independence movement, the Muslims of the subcontinent, supported the Turkish people who also reciprocated “with even greater compassion and magnanimity.”

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The premier praised Turkiye for “supporting the country” and recalled President Erdogan and the first lady’s visit to Pakistan’s flood-hit areas in 2010 and support for the reconstruction of houses and schools.

He viewed that President Erdogan’s visit would take the bilateral friendship to “new heights and called him a highly respected Muslim world leader for his strong stance” on issues like Gaza, Palestine and Kashmir.

“Turkiye always stood by Pakistan for the just cause of Kashmir. You always maintained your stance loud and clear. Similarly, Pakistan fully supported the cause of Northern Cyprus and stood by Turkiye in this cause in an unwavering fashion,” he said.

The prime minister also thanked the visiting dignitary for appreciating the sacrifices of Pakistani people and armed forces in fighting against terrorism.

“Together we will fight this menace and will not rest until we defeat this,” he resolved and also urged the Afghan government to play its part to eliminate the menace.