Turkey, Pakistan vow united front on terrorism

Speaking at a joint press conference after his tete-a-tete meeting with President Musharraf, President Sezer said on Tuesday, "Turkey and Pakistan have assumed a joint attitude against terrorism. During our talks, President Musharraf and I have the opportunity of affirming our determination to preserve our attitude. We have been extending full support to steps taken by President Musharraf in fight against terrorism and extremism. The agreement we signed earlier today to co-operate against international terrorism and organized crimes, reflects our determination in fight against terrorism."

"Turkish and Pakistani delegations held comprehensive and beneficial talks. During the meetings, bilateral relations between Turkey and Pakistan were scrutinized in detail. We underlined our satisfaction over traditional solidarity and co-operation between our friendly countries. Also, we corroborated our determination to further improve our bilateral relations and co-operation in every field. These relations based on a deep solidarity and a common vision, have constituted a model in our region. New co-operation opportunities in politics, economy and culture were also taken up. Methods to further strengthen our economic and commercial relations topped agenda of our meetings. We have decided that relevant authorities of our countries should maintain their efforts to develop new and concrete co-operation plans," he said.

President Sezer noted that the agreements signed in economy, commerce and health and the memorandum of understanding for co-operation in banking sector constituted the concrete samples of the close co-operation between the two countries.

Stressing that President Musharraf’s visit to Turkey had coincided with a period of important developments in the region, President Sezer said, "President Musharraf and I have the opportunity of exchanging our views over international issues and recent developments in the region. We are pleased to see that our countries have been advocating similar views and targets."

"During the talks, we have reached a full consensus of opinion that efforts to overcome problems of Iraq and Afghanistan were of vital importance in regard to stability of the region," he added.

Meanwhile, President Musharraf of Pakistan said in part that they had exchanged views on a series of issues during their tete-a-tete meeting and at the talks between Turkish and Pakistani delegations. He listed some of these issues as Iraq, Afghanistan and Cyprus.

"However, bilateral relations between Turkey and Pakistan and further improvement of our economic and commercial relations topped agenda of our talks. I am quite sure that the agreements signed between our countries today, will serve further improvement and consolidation of our existing close and friendly relations. These agreements aim at improving bilateral trade and using the existing potential in a better way. The agreement for co-operation between Turkish and Pakistani finance institutions and banks is of great importance in regard to efforts of facilitating and supporting the commerce between our countries. I want to stress that the two sides targeted to increase mutual trade volume up to 1 billion U.S. dollars till 2005," he said.

Pointing out that they had signed a co-operation agreement in health in order to diversify their co-operation activities, President Musharraf said that the agreement envisaged exchange of medical staff, professional information and technology.

Pakistani President Musharraf noted that exchange of information and experts would become easier as a result of the agreement signed for co-operation in fight against international terrorism and organized crimes.

"Meanwhile, I informed the Turkish side on recent developments in our relations with India. I gave information about the talks held under the regional conference of Southeast Asian countries in Islamabad, and the changing atmosphere in relations between Pakistan and India. I also briefed the Turkish side on developments about efforts to find a solution to Kashmir dispute," he said.

President Musharraf completed his speech saying, "we should maintain friendly relations between Turkey and Pakistan."