ANKARA, Jan 20: Pakistan and Turkey on Tuesday agreed to enhance cooperation to fight terrorism, boost economic and political ties besides agreeing to enhance cooperation in defence, banking and health sectors.

The two countries signed four agreements and a Memorandum of Understanding, following formal talks between President Gen Pervez Musharraf and Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer.

The talks were described by both the sides as being "very productive" and led to signing of agreements on fighting terrorism and organised crime, preferential trade, comprehensive economic partnership and cooperation in banking and health sectors. Both the leaders said the two countries shared common views on all regional and international issues.

Speaking to reporters before formal talks, the two presidents recalled the warmth and cordiality, marking the bilateral relations between Pakistan and Turkey.

"Turkish people always have special feelings for Pakistan," President Sezer said. President Musharraf said Turkey was second home to him. Referring to Pakistan-Turkey ties, he said these were deeply rooted in common faith and bonds of history and culture.

"Within these roots, our political and diplomatic relations are at the highest level." Later, the two leaders held a one-to-one meeting to outline the framework for strengthening ties between the two countries.

They were subsequently joined by their respective delegations for talks, covering bilateral, regional and international issues. "The two presidents held excellent talks and there were commonality of views on key issues, including Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan-India relations and on the issue of Cyprus," official sources told APP after the meeting.

The emphasis was on expansion of economic and trade cooperation and the two sides agreed to explore ways and means in various areas specially in the defence field, officials said.

"President Sezer warmly congratulated Musharraf on the recent vote of confidence and for the efforts he has made for strengthening democracy and the economic stability of the country."

Talking to reporters after the meeting, President Musharraf described the talks as being "very productive and successful" and expressed the confidence that it would open up new areas of cooperation.

"The main focus of our talks was the strengthening of our bilateral relations specially, the economic and commercial relations," the President added.

President Musharraf said he briefed his Turkish counterpart on recent developments in relations with India, the recently- concluded Saarc Summit and the "change in atmospherics" in Pak- India relations.

The Pakistani delegation was briefed on developments in Cyprus. President Musharraf said the purpose of agreements was to avail the huge potential for developing bilateral trade to the tune of $1 billion by 2005.

"We have also signed an agreement to bring our two countries into a close cooperative arrangements to fight international terrorism and organized crime through exchanges of information and experts," he added.

President Musharraf expressed the confidence about strengthening of relations after signing of the agreements. President Sezer said the strength of relations between Pakistan and Turkey originated from the deeply-rooted togetherness and common views.

"Framework agreements are concrete examples of our close cooperation," he added. He said President Musharraf's visit was taking place at a time when important developments were occurring in the region.

"During the talks, we expressed satisfaction that we have similar views and objectives on all the issues we discussed." President Sezer said Pakistan and Turkey had adopted a common stand on the fight against international terrorism and "we are determined to maintain our common stand."

He extended Turkey's support to the efforts of President Musharraf in the fight against terrorism and extremism, saying that the agreement on combating terrorism "is a reflection of our common determination against the menace."-APP