Turkey backs Pakistan’s stance regarding Afghan security

ANKARA (NNI): Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif met Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan and Prime Minister Binali Yildirim in the capital of Turkey where they discussed mutual ties between the two countries.

The Turkish leadership expressed best wishes for Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi. Turkish Prime Minister Yildirim said that his country appreciates the sacrifices made by Pakistan in war against terrorism, adding that both countries have meaningful relations.

He acknowledged that Pakistan made the highest number of sacrifices to fight terrorism in their region, requesting the international community to realise the sacrifices of over 60,000 thousand Pakistanis. Turkey supports Pakistan’s stance in Afghanistan security, he further stated.

Khawaja Asif talked about the regional security, trade and matters of mutual interest with the Turkish leadership. The meeting was also attended by their Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu.

He embarked on a one-day official visit to Turkey on Tuesday to discuss the US policy review regarding Afghanistan and South Asia, apart from US President Donald Trump s allegations of safe havens in Pakistan.

Earlier on his arrival, Pakistan’s Ambassador to Turkey Syrus Qazi and Turkish officials greeted him at the airport. The two sides would review bilateral relations and regional issues, including in Afghanistan, grave human rights violations in Occupied Kashmir, atrocities against Rohingya Muslims and other issues of common concern.

Earlier, Asif had called on Iranian President Dr. Hassan Rouhani and discussed strengthening of brotherly relations between the two countries rooted in common history, culture and people to people ties and reaffirmed the mutual desire to strengthen bilateral cooperation.