ANKARA: Pakistan and Turkey Tuesday agreed to intensify cooperation in diverse fields, including trade, energy, infrastructure development, security, education, culture and science and technology as well as enhanced efforts for peace in the region.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, while addressing a joint press conference with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan here after co-chairing the 3rd High Level Cooperation Council (HLCC) meeting, termed the meeting “very productive” and said that “there was unanimity of views” between the two sides on various issues of bilateral and regional interest.

Prime Minister Sharif said Pakistan and Turkey enjoyed very special relations bonded with fraternal ties rooted in history, culture and religion.

He said his visit to Turkey after assuming the office of prime minister on the invitation of Prime Minister Erdogan, speaks volume about the importance which Pakistan gives to Turkey as well as its strategic role in the region.

Sharif said the two countries had signed a number of agreements and memoranda of understanding (MoUs) today.

The two sides also agreed to enhance the number of flights between the two countries, said the premier and expressed his confidence that they would be able to carry forward the momentum generated by the HLCC meeting.

On the strategic front, he expressed the hope that Pakistan and Turkey would redouble their efforts for ensuring peace and stability in the region.

Prime Minister Sharif said he was looking forward to the visit of Prime Minister Erdogan for the 4th HLCC meeting to be held in Pakistan.

He assured Prime Minister Erdogan that he would not find Pakistan lagging behind in the implementation of “what we have agreed today.”

Prime Minister Sharif also referred to his talks with Prime Minister Erdogan as well as his meeting with President Abdullah Gul, who conferred on him Turkey's prestigious “Jamhurriat Nishan” (Medal of Democracy).

RADICALISATION: During a meeting with Turkish Interior Minister Muammer Guler and senior security officials, the prime minister said Pakistan would seek help and guidance from Turkey in effectively wiping out the menace of extremism from the country.

He said Pakistan would learn from the success story of Turkish police as his government took initiatives to deliver on all fronts.

According to a press release issued by the Prime Minister’s Office in Islamabad, he expressed the hope that Pakistan would implement an effective counter-terrorism strategy with the cooperation of Turkey.

“Turkey is our trusted friend and has come out of the same crisis we face today.”

The Turkish minister said his country could extend help to Pakistan in controlling cyber crimes and tackling the issue of radicalisation.

He said Pakistan had vast human resources and the right type of training and education would help a lot.

He said established institutions, a corruption-free environment, an educated population and trained manpower had led to strengthening of institutions in Turkey.

He said extremism could not be defeated only through the use of force and social reformation and education could be of help in this regard.—APP