News
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Turkey will continue its unflinching support to Pakistan, says Gul
* Turkish president says Pakistan’s recent success in war on terror has made Turkey proud
* Both countries must join hands to wipe out militancy, extremismISLAMABAD: Turkish President Abdullah Gul on Tuesday reiterated that his country will continue its unflinching support to Pakistan on various confronting issues, besides standing alongside the country in all trying times.
The Turkish president, during a call on a meeting by Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (JCSC) Chairman General Tariq Majeed, who is on an official visit to the brotherly country, said both the brotherly nations have deep-rooted and time-tested relations.
The Turkish president, recalling the lively and vivid memories of his visit to Pakistan, lauded the sacrifices rendered by the Pakistani nation and its armed forces in the war against terrorism, adding that the recent successes of Pakistan in the fight against terrorists has made them proud.
Besides discussing matters relating to enhancement of the relations between both countries, General Majeed said “both the countries have convergent perceptions on all regional and international issues and are facing common challenges”.
Join hands: He added, “Both brotherly countries must join hands to wipe out armed militancy and violent extremism from our societies.”
According to a message from Turkey, on arrival at the Turkish General Staff Headquarters, General Majeed was warmly welcomed and the Turkish Armed Forces gave him a guard of honour.
During his meeting with General Ilker Basbug, chief of the Turkish General Staff, the JCSC chairman thanked him for the warm hospitality and offered his condolences for the loss of precious lives of the Turkish soldiers and citizens in the recent terrorist attacks and the ‘Freedom Flotilla’ incident.
He appreciated Turkey’s unflinching support to Pakistan in its fight against terrorism, for the efforts to bring stability in Afghanistan and holding of the tripartite and regional summits.
General Majid emphasised the need to institutionalise the defence and security dialogue mechanism at the CDS level and training of officers at mid-career and junior levels to cultivate brotherhood amongst the young officers.
He called for strategic partnership to work together in joint ventures, focusing on cutting edge technologies, R&D, marketing and transfer of technology in public as well as private sectors.
General Basbug reminisced about the good memories of his visit to Pakistan and applauded the professionalism and determination of Pakistan’s armed forces in the fight against terrorism.
Later, General Basbug conferred Legion of Merit on General Majeed for “his untiring personal efforts to enhance the bilateral relations between Pakistan, Turkey and their armed forces”.
The JCSC chairman also called on Turkish Minister of Defence Vecdi Gonul and discussed matters of bilateral interest and various mechanisms to enhance the existing cooperation, especially collaboration in defence. app
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk