PAKISTANI PRESIDENT MUSHARRAF RECEIVES ERDOGAN
ISLAMABAD - Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf received on Monday Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Cyprus, Iraq, Kashmir, and trade relations between the two countries were discussed during the meeting of Musharraf and Erdogan.
Musharraf said they expended support to Turkey on Cyprus issue.
Erdogan in his part said Turkey would continue to support Pakistan on Kashmir issue, stating that the problem had to be solved through dialogue and on the basis of international legitimacy.
Erdogan called on support of Pakistan for membership of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) to OIC. Musharraf considered the issue positively and stated that they would evaluate it.
Iraq issue was brought onto the agenda of the meeting. Speaking on the issue, Erdogan said ethnical groups should not set up superiority on the other. Both leaders stated that chaos in Iraq and Afghanistan should end soon and that democratic process should start.
The two leaders also reached consensus of opinion to re-improve bilateral relations which went sour recently. Musharraf said sourness in relations was left in the past and that future should be taken into consideration in relations.
ERDOGAN SAYS THEY TAKE STEPS BECAUSE MEMBERSHIP OF TRNC TO OIC WILL MAKE TURKEY STRONGER IN CYPRUS ISSUE .
Prime Minister Erdogan recalled that he met with Pakistani Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali the previous day and President Pervez Musharraf the same day.
Erdogan said that none of the heads of state had visited Pakistan since 1996 and therefore, there was a recession in relations.
Noting that they had started a serious process with their contacts, Erdogan stated that they took up economic, commercial and international issues.
Erdogan pointed out that Turkish Airlines (THY) would start flights to Islamabad in addition to its flights to Karachi and that the contract would be signed on July 2, 2003.
Situation of contractors who worked in Pakistan and who had problems in that country was brought onto the agenda in his contacts, Erdogan said.
Erdogan stated that his interlocutors told him that they would be the followers of that issue.
Pointing out that he invited Musharraf and Jamali to Turkey, Erdogan said that the visits would be paid within that year.
Erdogan said that they exchanged views about issues like Afghanistan, Iraq, Middle East and Cyprus.
In addition, they exchanged views regarding OIC, Erdogan noted.
Erdogan said that the 11th OIC meeting would be held in Malaysia that year.
Asked about the demand of TRNC to be included in OIC, Erdogan said, ''they found the demand positive. They said that they would evaluate the demand. It is not a moment of decision right now. They said that they would negotiate and then make their decision.''
Asked if membership of TRNC to OIC would make Turkey stronger in Cyprus issue, Erdogan said, ''we are taking these steps because it will make us stronger.''
Replying to another question, Erdogan said that he told his interlocutors that they were beside Pakistan regarding Kashmir issue.
Asked if inclusion of TRNC in OIC should be considered a move against the EU accession of the Greek Cypriot administration, Erdogan said, ''TRNC is in fact an observer in OIC. Such efforts should be exerted to strengthen TRNC in the world. That is, rightful case of TRNC should be explained.''
When a reporter asked how the problem of the Bayindir Holding in Pakistan regarding the unfinished projects would be solved, Erdogan said, ''first of all, sides should talk. Then, it can be solved through arbitration without going to the court.''
Replying to a question, Erdogan said that nuclear tests of Pakistan did not come onto the agenda and that steps to be taken in defense industry were debated.
Answering another question, Erdogan said that there were many construction projects in Pakistan and his interlocutors said that they expected Turkish businessmen in Pakistan.
When a reporter said, ''in a statement you made to a newspaper in Malaysia, you said, 'if politicians create vacuum in democratic process, this is filled by military' and asked about his evaluation, Erdogan said, ''I did not say politicians. I only make an analysis of politics. I said 'politics can't accept vacuum.' And, I said, 'if there is a vacuum in politics, it is filled by somebody. Military has always priority in the world.''
Replying a question on Iraq, Erdogan said that they would be pleased if the Pakistani forces were in the region in that process.
Prior to the press conference, Erdogan separately received Pakistani Foreign Minister Mian Khursheed Mehmood Kasuri, Pakistani Water and Energy Development Directorate Executive Board Chairman Zulfikar Ali Han, Pakistani National Motorway Directorate Executive Board Chairman Farruh Cahit, and representatives of Turkish construction companies working in Pakistan.
ERDOGAN: ''THERE IS NOT ANY DOUBT THAT ECONOMIC AND COMMERCIAL DIMENSION OF OUR RELATIONS WITH PAKISTAN IS IMPORTANT''
Prime Minister Erdogan partook in a dinner hosted in his honor by the Federation of Pakistani Chambers of Industry and Commerce.
Speaking at the dinner, Prime Minister Erdogan expressed his pleasure with visiting Pakistan.
''There is not any doubt that economic and commercial dimension of our relations with Pakistan is important. Progress to be recorded in this dimension will also have a positive impact on regional economy,'' he said.
Stressing that agriculture should be given a special importance in bilateral relations, Prime Minister Erdogan said that Turkey and Pakistan should cooperate in small and medium scale enterprises.
''Public and private sectors have an important mission to assess opportunities between the two countries in line with interests of our countries. Turkish-Pakistani Business Council has a priority to this end,'' he added.
Prime Minister Erdogan and accompanying delegation will return to Turkey on Tuesday after wrapping up their visit to Pakistan.
(UK) 16.06.2003