ANKARA, Aug 11: Turkey’s president told a Pakistani minister here on Saturday that the Turkish government was encouraging businessmen to invest in Pakistan, particularly in its energy sector.

During a meeting with State Minister for Foreign Affairs Malik Ammad Khan, President Abdullah Gul said the two countries should further enhance economic cooperation.

He expressed the hope that bilateral agreements signed during Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s visit to Pakistan would be implemented soon.

He added that he looked forward to meeting his Pakistani counterpart on the sidelines of the summit being organised next week by Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Makkah.

On his part, Mr Khan delivered to Mr Gul a special message from President Asif Ali Zardari.

The minister praised what he called Turkey’s efforts to bring peace and stability to the Middle East. He said that Pakistan and Turkey agreed on the need for a peaceful resolution of the Syrian crisis.

A prolonged unrest in Syria would not only be painful for the Syrian people but would also adversely affect the neighbouring countries.

Pakistan’s Ambassador to Turkey Muhammad Haroon Shaukat and Consul General in Istanbul Dr Yusuf Junaid were present on the occasion.—APP