ISLAMABAD - Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Sunday that Turkey and Pakistan should further diversify cooperation in economic and commercial fields.
Pakistani Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali hosted a meal in honor of Erdogan in Prime Ministry Residence.
Erdogan said that Pakistan was one of the most important countries of the region and added that international society appreciated the determined attitude and vital support of Pakistan in fight against terrorism and against radical religious movements during the process following September 11 terrorist attacks.
Erdogan said, ''we are strongly supporting your country's contributions for providing security and stability in regional and global scale and reformist policies for modernization and development. We are pleased with democratic developments in Pakistan and forming of parliament after elections and forming of new government.''
Erdogan said, ''we are determined to further diversify and deepen our cooperation relations especially in economic and commercial fields. Agreements that we have signed today are the best proof of this. Solidarity tradition against international problems which concern Turkey and Pakistan is a source of happiness for us. We are thankful for your country's valuable support in Cyprus question. Turkey will also continue its support to Pakistan in Kashmir issue. We wish Kashmir issue will be solved through dialogue and on basis of international legitimacy as soon as possible. We are pleased with the steps taken in the last period to restart dialogue process by Pakistan and India. We wish dialogue process brings positive results.''
Jamali said that infrastructure activities should speed up in Afghanistan after the operation of the United States against this country.
Jamali added that they needed international finance assistance for the refugees in Pakistan.
Noting that people in Kashmir should have the right to determine their future, Jamali said, ''there should be permanent peace in Cyprus. Federate structure with two societies should be formed. We are supporting Turkey in Cyprus issue.''
Jamali said that rebuilding should start in Iraq and added that they were uneasy with chaos in Iraq.
(GC-AÖ) 16.06.2003