Pakistan, Turkey Sign Anti-Terror Cooperation Deal

Musharraf, for his part, said the anti-terrorist agreement covers the exchange of information and experts, reported Agence France-Presse (AFP).

Only days ago, Musharraf – in his first address to the joint session of the Pakistani parliament – urged lawmakers and his compatriots to launch what he termed as "Jihad to eradicate extremism from Pakistani society".

"I appeal to you and the people of Pakistan to wage a jihad against extremism," he had told parliament.

Several of those blamed for car bomb attacks in Istanbul in November, which left 62 dead and hundreds injured, allegedly received training in "extremist camps" in Pakistan.

Turkey and Pakistan are two Muslim countries marred by recent local violence and are both striving for good relations with the West, said AFP.

In addition to the anti-terrorist cooperation deal, officials signed agreements on economic partnership and preferential trade, along with accords touching on the banking and health sectors.

"I’m sure these agreements will strengthen and fortify the already close and brotherly relations between Turkey and Pakistan," said the Pakistani leader.

Musharraf, on his first visit abroad since two attempts on his life last month allegedly by "Islamic extremists", said they also discussed regional issues, including Iraq, Afghanistan and Cyprus, along with recent developments in relations between his country and India.

"We agreed that overcoming the problems of Iraq and Afghanistan is of vital importance for the stability of our regions," Sezer said.

"We observe we have similar objectives and views on regional issues," added the Turkish president.

Musharraf’s three-day official visit to Ankara follows trips last year to Pakistan by Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul.

The two countries, founding members of the Economic Cooperation Organization, a body that aims to boost trade between Caspian and central Asian countries, enjoy warm ties.

"Long live Pakistani-Turkish brotherhood," said Musharraf in Turkish.

The Pakistani leader spent part of his youth in Ankara where his father was posted as a diplomat.

He was due to address parliament later Tuesday before holding talks with Erdogan.

On Wednesday, Musharraf was to travel to Istanbul to meet businessmen, as boosting economic cooperation is high on his agenda.

Trade between the two Muslim countries has been around 160 to 170 million dollars per year over the past five years.

The objective, Musharraf said, was to augment the volume of trade exchange to one billion dollars by 2005.

After visiting Turkey, Musharraf is to head to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland Thursda