President Erdoğan’s Visit to Pakistan: Emphasis on Fighting for a Palestinian State with East Jerusalem as its Capital
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan visited Pakistan on an official trip and met with Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif. One of the main agenda items of the visit was strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries and addressing regional issues. During the visit, 24 agreements were signed between Turkey and Pakistan, covering various areas such as trade, water resources, agriculture, energy, culture, health, and defense cooperation.
In his speech at the meeting, Erdoğan emphasized the historical ties between Turkey and Pakistan, highlighting the solidarity shown during critical events like the Gallipoli and War of Independence. He also stated that the Cooperation Council, established in 2009, had institutionalized this solidarity. Erdoğan praised the strong collaboration between Turkey and Pakistan in combating terrorism, particularly against groups such as PKK, YPG, ISIS, and FETÖ.
Erdoğan expressed appreciation for Pakistan’s stance on the Palestinian issue and reaffirmed Turkey’s commitment to fighting for a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital. He also expressed Turkey’s support for Pakistan regarding the Kashmir issue, advocating for the resolution of the conflict through dialogue and based on UN resolutions.
Another key point in Erdoğan’s speech was the appreciation of Pakistan’s support during challenging times, particularly during the devastating February 6 earthquakes in Turkey. Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif was the first leader to visit the affected areas, symbolizing the strong bond between the two nations. Erdoğan extended his heartfelt gratitude to the people of Pakistan for their solidarity.
Additionally, Erdoğan announced that Turkey’s domestic electric car, TOGG, would be sent to Pakistan, hoping it would serve as a symbol of Turkey-Pakistan solidarity.
Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif’s Remarks:
Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif expressed his pleasure over President Erdoğan’s visit and emphasized that Turkey has always stood by Pakistan, especially in difficult times. He acknowledged the valuable support Turkey has provided to Pakistan, particularly in defending the rights of the Pakistani people and supporting them in Kashmir. Sharif thanked Erdoğan for his unwavering support.
He also stressed the importance of continuing the strong friendship between Pakistan and Turkey, noting that progress in bilateral relations and the implementation of agreements in areas such as trade, investment, and agriculture were key priorities. Sharif recognized Pakistan’s success in fighting terrorism and expressed appreciation for Turkey’s support in this regard.
Sharif concluded by expressing hope that the decisions made during the visit would be followed up with concrete actions, strengthening the partnership between the two countries.
