Turkey, Pakistan to boost bilateral ties

Kasuri briefed Gul on “Pakistan’s endeavours to de-escalate tension with India and for the resolution of the Kashmir dispute,” the statement said. “The two foreign ministers agreed to work closely together for reinforcing the existing ties of friendship and cooperation between the two countries, particularly in the economic sphere.”

They decided to institutionalise annual consultations between the two foreign ministers to be held alternately in Islamabad and Ankara, it added. Gul will call on President Pervez Musharraf before leaving Islamabad on Wednesday. Gul, the first top Turkish official to visit Pakistan since the US-led war in Iraq, said before leaving Ankara the two countries had “excellent political relations.”