News Desk |
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan praised Pakistan for its solidarity and assistance in times of difficulty, and said, “Pakistan has a very special place in our hearts”. While addressing the Turkish people during a campaign rally held in Trabzon, President Erdogan also praised Prime Minister Imran Khan for his efforts to promote peace across the region.
“Be it our fight against terrorism or a natural disaster, Pakistan has always come to the aid of the Turkish citizens. Pakistanis have a special place in the hearts of the Turks”, said the Turkish president. Erdogan also mentioned the support Turks received during the Tehreek-e-Khilafat and went on to say that the poems written by Pakistan’s national poet, Allama Mohammad Iqbal, for the Turkish independence movement can never be forgotten.
Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi had informed that Pakistan’s decision to condemn India’s presence at the OIC was lauded and respected by other friendly nations.
Erdogan offered Turkey’s assistance in mediating peace and cooperation to reduce tensions between India and Pakistan. He mentioned his recent conversation with Prime Minister Imran Khan over the ongoing tensions between the two nuclear-armed South Asian rivals and lauded Imran Khan for his decision to release the captured Indian pilot as a gesture of peace. He also stated that he is waiting for India to demonstrate similar gestures of peace.
President Erdogan stated that Turkey is willing to play a part in reducing tensions between Pakistan and India, “Turkey has a sincere and honest relationship with Pakistan, and increasing tensions by adding fuel to the fire will not be useful for anyone. Turkey intends to do its part in reducing the anxiety and de-escalating tensions”.
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While addressing a press conference on 2nd March, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi had informed that Pakistan’s decision to condemn India’s presence at the OIC was lauded and respected by other friendly nations. He added that the Foreign Ministers of Iran and Turkey had also been absent from the OIC summit to create an impact and stand in solidarity with Pakistan. FM Qureshi also mentioned the likelihood of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s visit to Pakistan later in April.
Earlier on 27th February, Foreign Minister Qureshi had lauded the Turkish Foreign Minister, Mevlut Cavusoglu, for pledging Turkey’s cooperation during the deepening rift between India and Pakistan. FM Qureshi quoted Cavusoglu’s pledge of support to Pakistan, “Turkey fully stands behind Pakistan’s government and citizens, and the Turks send prayers and cooperation to their Pakistani brothers and sisters during this difficult time.
We believe that India has undertaken an act of aggression against a brotherly Muslim country and a founding member of the OIC”. FM Qureshi added, “The Turkish Foreign Minister also stressed that Indian Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj has no basis to attend the OIC meeting, and Turkey stands in opposition to her invitation for addressing the summit”.