ANKARA - "It is the right time to launch an initiative to assure peace in the region," Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf underlined on Tuesday.
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Musharraf held a joint press conference after they held a meeting at Prime Ministry in Ankara.
Musharraf stated that he was paying a visit to Turkey to discuss settlement of peace in the Islam world and the region, noting that it was the right period of time to resolve especially Palestinian issue.
When a reporter said, "you are eager to bring together leaders of Islamic countries to discuss the Middle East. What is your exact plan?" Musharraf said that they aimed to bring together a group of countries which had similar views, adding that they also aimed to create a common voice based on the compromise to be approved by everyone. He noted that after creating a common voice, they could hold talks on a solution to Palestinian issue and settlement of peace in the region.
Replying to a question on views of Iran that he visited prior to Turkey, Musharraf noted that Iran was aware of the current situation, indicating that talks should be held with Iran, too.
Underlining the importance of deep-rooted relations between Turkey and Pakistan, Musharraf said that Turkish and Pakistani authorities were eager to boost economic relations.
Referring to Turkey`s assistance to Pakistan after the devastating earthquake (in 2005), Musharraf said that also PM Erdogan visited his country during that period, adding that he would always remember Turkish executives` and people`s support for Pakistan.