ANKARA: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his Turkish counterpart Ahmet Davutoglu agreed on Friday to work together for a peaceful resolution of the crisis in Yemen.

Addressing a joint press conference after their meeting, they voiced concern over the overthrow of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi’s government.

They criticised the use of force by non-state actors that led to the overthrow of the Hadi government.

Mr Sharif termed the situation in Yemen “grave” and cautioned that the crisis might endanger unity of Muslim Ummah which would have implications for the whole region.

Pakistan, the prime minister said, would stand by Saudi Arabia which was leading a campaign against Houthi rebels, he added.

He said: “We have agreed to extend all possible support in the defence of Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

Mr Sharif who was on a day-long visit to Turkey said the security situation in Yemen was deteriorating.

He recalled his conversation with the Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan a few days back in which they agreed to discuss the Yemen issue.

Nawaz, Davutoglu voice concern over the overthrow of President Hadi’s government by non-state actors

Referring to his talks with Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, he said that both sides were of the view that “the current crisis in Yemen could plunge the region into turmoil”.

He said Saudi Arabia was a close friend of Pakistan and Turkey.

“We agreed that we will stand by Saudi Arabia in its hour of need ... [and] agreed to extend all possible support in the defence of Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

He said: “Pakistan and Turkey have close and brotherly relations with other Islamic countries in the region and attach great importance to their security and territorial integrity.”

Pakistan would stay engaged with the leadership of Saudi Arabia and other Muslim countries in the region, he added.

Mr Davutoglu said Pakistan and Turkey held unanimity of views on the crisis.

He referred to Turkey’s stated position on the situation in Yemen and said his country was in contact with both Saudi Arabia and Iran and called for an end to the ‘sectarian strife’ in the region.

He said Pakistan and Turkey were willing to work for peace in the region for ending the role of non-state actors.

He said the two countries had close ties in all spheres and always stood together through thick and thin.

He said both Pakistan and Turkey had held regular consultations and voiced their concern over the situation in the region.

He said Turkish Foreign Minister would be visiting Pakistan next week to carry forward the process of consultations.

Mr Davutoglu said Turkey viewed positively the outcome of Iran nuclear talks.

Mr Sharif said stressed the need for all possible efforts to resolve the Yemen crisis.

He said safety and security of the Pakistani community in Yemen was his government’s major priority and their safe evacuation was under way.

He informed Mr Davutoglu about the recent visit by a Pakistani delegation led by Minister for Defence Khawaja Asif to Saudi Arabia to assess the situation.

Speaking at a working lunch hosted by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Prime Minister Sharif said that Pakistan and Turkey wanted to take their economic ties to the level of their excellent.

He invited the Turkish president to visit Pakistan at his earliest convenience.

On his arrival, PM Sharif was received at the airport by the Turkish minister for environment and urbanisation.

The prime minister was accompanied by his advisers Sartaj Aziz and Tariq Fatemi and the secretary of foreign affairs.

Published in Dawn, April 4th, 2015

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