Pakistan and Turkey Wednesday underlined the need for a joint mechanism to strengthen bilateral cooperation on international matters besides calling for a combined strategy in wake of growing Islamophobia.

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu Wednesday called on Prime Minister Imran Khan and Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi in Islamabad separately and discussed bilateral, regional and international matters.

The Turkish foreign minister is visiting Pakistan mainly to be part of second Pakistan-Turkey-Azerbaijan Trilateral Meeting being held on the day for what Azeri Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov is in the town.

Earlier, the visiting foreign minister also called on President Arif Alvi who also conferred on him Hilal-i-Pakistan, the second-highest civil award of Pakistan to recognize his contribution and services to strengthen bilateral relations.

Meeting with Qureshi

Pakistan and Turkey underlined the need for a joint mechanism to strengthen bilateral cooperation on international matters besides calling for a combined strategy in wake of growing Islamophobia.

During a meeting between Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi and his Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu, they expressed concern over the growing tendency of Islamophobia across the world.

Earlier, on his arrival at the foreign ministry, Foreign Minister Qureshi warmly received Mevlut Cavusoglu, who also planted a sapling at the lawn of the ministry.

The two foreign ministers agreed on early implementation of the decisions taken by the high level Strategic Cooperation Council in its meeting held in Islamabad.

Apprising him of the unabated Indian atrocities and Indian oppression in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), the foreign minister thanked Turkish foreign minister for his country’s constant support on the issue.

Qureshi also briefed his counterpart on Pakistan’s reconciliatory efforts for Afghan peace, and said the unanimity of views of both the countries at the level of United Nations, Organization of Islamic Cooperation and Economic Cooperation Organization was pleasing.

Both the countries also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for cooperation in education sector, signed by Turkish foreign minister and Federal Education Minister Shafqat Mahmood.

Both the sides also held delegation level talks with foreign ministers Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Mevlut Cavusoglu leading their respective sides.

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Qureshi greeted Mevlut Cavusoglu on conferment of Hilal-i-Pakistan by President Arif Alvi earlier in the day and said President Erdogan’s visit to Pakistan in February last had strengthened the bilateral ties.

Referring to the adverse economic impact of COVID-19, the foreign minister called for a global and joint efforts to support the weak economies hit by the pandemic.

He said both the countries should ponder over the measures to transform the cooperation into strategic partnership.

During the meeting, Qureshi urged the international community to force pressure India to grant access to neutral observers to the IIOJK to make them know the facts.

The foreign minister appreciated the start of second round of Afghan Talks and highlighted the exchange of high level visits between Pakistan and Afghanistan since last year besides bilateral agreement on a comprehensive roadmap to strengthen bilateral relations.

Qureshi said on Palestine issue, Pakistan was stick to its stance of two-nation solution.

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu thanked Qureshi for warm welcome and said they considered Pakistan as their second home. He also underlined to continue joint efforts to strengthen trade and economic cooperation.

Turkish FM gets civil award
President Dr Arif Alvi Wednesday conferred Hilal-i-Pakistan, the country’s second highest civil award, on Foreign Minister of Turkey Mevlut Cavusoglu in recognition of his contribution to strengthen Pak-Turkish ties.

The conferment on the Turkish foreign minister was made at a special investiture ceremony held here at the Aiwan-e-Sadr.

Besides delegations of the visiting foreign minister, the ceremony was attended by federal ministers, diplomats and senior officers.

Started with recitation of Quranic verses, the ceremony featured playing of national anthems of both the countries.

Reading out the citation, Secretary Cabinet Division Sardar Ahmed Nawaz Sukhera recounted the services of Turkish foreign minister for enriching the bilateral ties. He said in his capacity as Turkish foreign minister Mevlut Cavusoglu had taken various initiatives for peace and security.

Moreover, he also played vital role for strengthening Pak-Turkish ties and their transformation into a strategic partnership

The Hilal-i-Pakistan awards is conferred to recognize the meritorious contribution to the national interests of Pakistan, or cultural, social contribution. Among other dignitaries to have achieved the honor included now US President-elect Joe Biden, Ruth Pfau, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and recently Chinese former ambassador in Islamabad Yao Jing.

After the investiture, the Turkish foreign minister also introduced two renowned Turkish actors including Nurettin Sönmez, known for his role as Bamsı Beyrek in Ertugrul and Ayberk Pekcan, known for his role as Artuk Bey. Both the celebrities were warmly received by the audience and did not miss the rare photo-op.

Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu is visiting here for the second Pakistan-Turkey-Azerbaijan Trilateral Meeting being held on the day.

Prior to the investiture ceremony, he called on the president and discussed the bilateral as well as regional matters of mutual interest.