ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Turkey agreed on Tuesday to bolster their cooperation in areas of defence and counter-terrorism.

After reviewing the progress made vis-à-vis strategic ties, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan decided to enhance cooperation in issues related to counter-terrorism and security.

Mr Erdogan was on a two-day visit to Pakistan for discussions on enhancement of bilateral ties. Much of the focus during the visit had been on economic and commercial relationship.

A security cooperation protocol signed by the two countries provides for the framework for security and counter-terrorism cooperation.

A joint statement issued after the visit said the two countries would explore the possibility of joint defence production and research. It also expressed satisfaction over the “progress” in strategic ties.

The High Level Cooperation Council (HLCC) that had been the main political forum directing the bilateral relationship since 2009 was converted into the High Level Strategic Cooperation Council (HLSCC) during the visit of Prime Minister Sharif to Turkey in September.

The HLSCC is working to broaden cooperation in a number of sectors, including energy, trade, finance, transportation, infrastructure development, security, education and culture.

During their meetings, the leadership of both countries concurred that though the political relationship was in excellent shape, the trade ties did not match up. It was, therefore, agreed that good political relationship should underpin the economic and commercial ties.

“Pakistan and Turkey have agreed to provide a dynamic, future-orientated outlook to their strategic relationship. The two leaders also emphasised on the speedy implementation of the common economic agenda within the framework of the High Level Strategic Cooperation Council for the welfare of the people of two brotherly countries,” the Foreign Office spokesperson said.