ISLAMABAD - Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf received on Wednesday Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul.
Speaking to Turkish reporters after the meeting, Gul pointed out that Turkish-Pakistani relations were very deep, and noted that both countries attributed great importance to each other.
Gul said there was a slight sourness in relations in the recent years, stating that to this end he wanted to pay his first official visit to Pakistan, yet it could not be possible.
Pointing out that Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan would also visit Islamabad on June 15, he conveyed President Ahmet Necdet Sezer's invitation to Musharraf.
Recalling that Pakistan, with its 150 million population, was a country supporting Turkey without any condition, Gul said there was not any other country which supported Turkey this much.
Gul pointed out that a new period started in Turkish-Pakistani relations, and expressed the hope that Turkish companies making business with Pakistan could take more opportunities.
Stating that Pakistan was currently acting as the term President of the U.N. Security Council, Gul recalled that the United States demanded soldiers from Pakistan for international peace forces in Iraq.
Gul said Pakistani administration has not yet taken a decision whether or not to send soldiers, noting that during his meeting with Musharraf, he stated that Turkey would be pleased to see Pakistani soldiers in Iraq.
Pointing out that Musharraf extended full support to Turkey on Cyprus issue, Gul said the Pakistani leader told him that they would do what Turkey wants.
Gul said when Musharraf mentioned the difficulties of the Moslem countries, he said Turkey always recommended the Moslem countries that they may have pious state and modernism at the same time.
Gul said Justice and Development Party (AK Party) was trying to show this, and noted that he told Musharraf that Moslem countries could be democrat, open, and transparent protecting their cultures and religious values.
Gul said Kashmir problem was also discussed during his meeting with Musharraf, stating that he stressed that international laws should be valid in this region.
GUL AND KASURI HOLD PRESS CONFERENCE
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul met with Pakistani Foreign Minister Mian Khursheed Mehmood Kasuri under his visit to Pakistan.
Following their tete-a-tete meeting, Gul and Kasuri held a joint press conference.
Noting that Turkey and Pakistan were two friendly and sister countries, Gul said, ''we have perfect political relations, and we plan to reflect this perfection onto the field of economy. We want to deepen our cooperation in commercial field. To this end, we will work hard.''
Regarding Kashmir problem, Gul said that Turkey was pleased with the rapprochement between India and Pakistan in recent period.
Stressing that people of the region had been suffering pains for a long time, Gul said they wished this rapprochement would bring stability and peace to the region. Gul noted that problems could be solved through dialogue and international legitimacy.
Replying a question about the role of the Turkish Armed Forces in the Turkish political life, Gul said that there was a constitutional order in Turkey, and they were the government which came to the power by democratic election.
When asked why Bulent Ecevit had postponed his visit to Pakistan while he was serving as the prime minister, Gul said they should forget about the past and look at the future, adding, ''we have excellent relations. And we don't have any serious problem at the time being. We should forget about it if we made mistake in the past.''
Gul added that they had decided to exchange opinion on rebuilding of Iraq, and they would be pleased if Pakistan decided to send troops to international force to be formed for Iraq.
Kasuri said that they were very pleased with Gul's visit to Pakistan, and the two countries had friendly relations, adding, ''we decided to increase our cooperation in every field and carry out close work.''
Noting that they were expecting Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan to visit Pakistan in June, Kasuri said that Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf accepted President Ahmet Necdet Sezer's invitation and he would pay a visit to Turkey.
Kasuri said Gul and he had discussed Kashmir problem, Iraq, Afghanistan, Cyprus and close work between Turkey and Pakistan under the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC).
Kasuri stressed that private sector had important role in further development of bilateral commercial relations.
Noting that Gul's visit had brought excellent results, and they had decided to institutionalize bilateral relations, Kasuri said that foreign ministers would pay mutual visits once in a year and undersecretaries would pay mutual visits twice in a year.
When asked whether or not their support to Turkey about Cyprus issue would continue, Kasuri said they had always supported Turkey and would continue to do so.
(End)
(MS-AÖ) 21.05.2003