ISTANBUL: On the sidelines of the ninth D-8 summit, Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and his Turkish counterpart Binali Yildirim agreed to bolster relations in diverse areas with a focus on trade and economy.

While addressing a joint press stakeout with the Turkish leader on Friday, Mr Abbasi praised Turkey for supporting the people of India-held Kashmir (IHK), who were fighting for their right to self-determination, as well as raising a voice for Rohingya Muslims and Palestinians who were victims of terrorism.

During their meeting earlier, the two leaders had a candid discussion on ways and means to strengthen multifaceted ties between the two brotherly nations.

Mr Abbasi said Pakistan would continue to provide all possible support to Turkey on issues of national interest, including Cyprus. He acknowledged Turkey’s role in finding a political situation to the conflict in Syria and praised it for graciously hosting millions of refugees.

About the situation in Afghanistan, he said Turkey had always played a very constructive role in facilitating peace through better relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Prime Minister Abbasi said Pakistan was confident that as chair of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and as an influential power, Turkey would continue to maintain its just and principled position by continuing to call for a fact-finding mission to investigate the violations of human rights in IHK.

On the subject of Rohingya Muslims, Pakistan expressed the resolve to support any initiative taken by Turkey as the OIC chair to address the plight of the oppressed community.

The premier also appreciated Turkey’s strong support for Pakistan’s membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG).

“We look forward to Turkey’s initiative of organising the Pakistan-Afghanistan-Turkey trilateral summit at an early date,” added Mr Abbasi.

Meanwhile on Saturday, Prime Minister Abbasi met Turkish minister for energy and national resources, Berat Albayrak.

The two sides discussed various issues pertaining to the energy sector and measures to enhance cooperation between Pakistan and Turkey in the sector.

Published in Dawn, October 22nd, 2017