Pakistan, Turkey vow to expand cooperation for regional progress

Istanbul, Nov 2 (ANI): Pakistan and Turkey have vowed to further expand bilateral cooperation to play more active role in ensuring peace, progress and stability in the region, besides the welfare of the people of both countries.

During a meeting between Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari and his Turkish counterpart Abdullah Gul, both countries have agreed to enhance their cooperation in trade, economic, education, communication, transportation and other fields, the Daily Times reports.

Both leaders were later joined by the members of their respective delegations. This was the second meeting between the two presidents in two days, the last one held on Monday that had lasted for two hours.

Pakistan's side included Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar, Defence Minister Ahmed Mukhtar, Interior Minister Rehman Malik, State Bank Governor Yaseen Anwar, Board of Investment Chairman Salim H Mandviwala, Secretary General to President Salman Farooqui, Spokesperson to President Farhatullah Babar, Pakistan's ambassador to Turkey Muhammad Haroon Shaukat and other officials.

The Turkish president was assisted by Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu and other officials. Both the sides discussed all aspects to further improve bilateral relations in different fields. During their wide-ranging talks, they expressed their desire to diverse relations between the two countries for mutual benefit.

The agreement was reportedly inked by the Governors of the state banks of the two countries.

Babar, giving details of the bilateral talks, said that Zardari emphasised that special relations between the two countries should be sustained by more parliamentary exchanges and people-to-people contacts.

Both the countries reportedly agreed to remove trade barriers, ease visa restrictions and take steps to increase bilateral trade to two billion dollars. Both the president said it was an encouraging sign that the private sectors were collaborating in the energy, construction, food processing and rubber industry. (ANI)