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ANKARA, Jan 20: President Gen Pervez Musharraf on Tuesday said Pakistan and Turkey must join hands for global peace besides cooperate for the emancipation of the Muslim Ummah.
The president said this while addressing members of Turkey's Grand National Assembly. Dwelling at length on challenges confronting the Muslim Ummah, he said: "We are at a defining moment in history, we can either seize this moment and define history ourself or let the moment pass and allow destiny to define it the moment in its own way." President Musharraf said: "We must turn this challenge into opportunity."
He said the world today "is afflicted with turbulence, turmoil and uncertainty and there is a global transition." President Musharraf said Pakistan and Turkey form an "undeniably important part" of the Muslim world.
He said terrorists had struck in many parts of the world, mainly in Muslim countries, including Turkey and Pakistan, adding: "We will not let them hold our societies hostage to their nefarious designs. These terrorists have brought a bad name to Islam which is a faith of peace and co-existence."
He said the way forward was what he has been calling the "enlightened moderation." He said Turkey's joining of the European Union will further help bridge the gap between the Muslim world and Europe.
He reiterated Pakistan's firm support to the people of Cyprus, saying: "I reaffirm Pakistan's strong commitment to bi- zonal, bi-communal solution to the long standing problem of Cyprus."
ERDOGAN: Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan called on President Musharraf on Tuesday and exchanged views on bilateral, regional and international issues.
The two leaders expressed the confidence that Pakistan-Turkey ties would be strengthened in the days ahead to the benefit of the peoples of the two countries.
Gen Musharraf informed the Turkish leader about the efforts made for the sustainable democracy in Pakistan. The two leaders also discussed the issues of Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan-India relations and Cyprus.
President Musharraf also met the speaker of the Turkish Grand National Assembly who had invited him to address a special session of the assembly.
Homage To Ataturk: President Gen Pervez Musharraf Tuesday visited the mausoleum of the founder of modern Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk to pay homage.
The president laid a wreath and paid respect to the great leader. Recording his impressions in the visitors book, the president wrote: "Pakistanis are proud to have contributed and supported Ataturk's struggle to carve out a dynamic nation out of a turmoil," he wrote.-APP
