ANKARA - President Ahmet Necdet Sezer received Pakistani Parliament Speaker Amir Hussain and the accompanying delegation on Wednesday.
Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc was also in attendance at the meeting, which was closed to the press.
HUSSAIN: WHOLE WORLD SHOULD ESTABLISH A JOINT PLATFORM AGAINST ACTS OF VIOLENCE
Amir Hussain has said, ''terrorism does not have any connection with any of three monotheistic faiths and any races. The whole world should establish a joint platform against acts of violence.''
In an interview with the A.A, Hussain reminded that both Turkey and Pakistan were among countries targeted by terrorism, and highlighted importance of co-operation between the two countries.
Stressing that terrorism did not have any rightful reason, and it was a crime against humanity, Hussain said, ''the whole world should establish a joint platform against acts of violence. Representatives of all countries should discuss characteristics of terrorism and methods to prevent it at this platform.''
Noting that Pakistan had been opposed to terrorism from the very beginning, Hussain said, ''our country was among the countries fighting against terrorism with great determination following the September 11th events in the United States. We condemn all kinds of terrorism harshly. Therefore, we want to further develop our co-operation with Turkey.''
''However, a sensitive distinction should be drawn between terrorism and struggles of independence and liberation. For instance, we should separate terrorism and struggles of Kashmir, Palestine and the other countries for freedom from each other. Except for it, we have always been opposed to terrorism. We are ready to co-operate with Turkey in fight against terrorism. Since both Turkey and Pakistan are among countries targeted by terrorism, we are obliged to co-operate with each other,'' he emphasized.
Describing the bilateral relations between Turkey and Pakistan as friendly and special, Hussain said that the two countries had shared the same views over many issues.
Underlining that the political relations between Turkey and Pakistan were almost perfect, Hussain said that the two countries always paid careful attention to being closer to each other in international platforms such as the United Nations and the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC).
''Turkey supports us on the issue of Kashmir and in return Pakistan supports Turkey on the issue of Cyprus,'' he said.
Hussain said, ''I believe that Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's visit to Pakistan last year, the scheduled visit of Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf in January, and the other high-level visits are of great important in regard to further improvement of our bilateral relations.''
Referring to economic relations between Turkey and Pakistan, Hussain said that the two countries should expend more efforts to improve their commercial and economic relations which he described as far away from the real potentials of the countries.
Hussain said this issue was discussed during Erdogan's visit to Pakistan, stating that the target to increase bilateral trade to one billion U.S. dollars annually was put forth. Hussain quoted Erdogan as saying they wanted to further increase this figure.
Stressing the importance of making reciprocal visits between the business circles in the two countries, Hussain said decisions could be taken on exports-imports products, investments and improvement of economic cooperation.
Describing his visits in Ankara as ''very beneficial and sincere'', Hussain said he met with Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Hussain said relations between the two countries and parliaments were also discussed during the talks.''
Hussain said he did not bring a special message from Pakistani government to Ankara, noting that during the meetings he conveyed the sorrow they felt over terrorist attacks in Istanbul.
Hussain said continuation of contacts and dialogue was important for improvement of bilateral relations, adding the visits should be increased.
Replying a question about scheduled visit of Musharraf to Turkey this month, Hussain said he did not want to make a comment on this.
Hussain said brothers always meet and discuss every issue within brotherly relations.
Hussain said cooperation on various areas were particularly important, and noted that it was obvious that they would discuss improvement of relations between the parliaments and bilateral relations.
Replying to a question about the initiatives of Kurds to set up a federation in Iraq based on ethnical basis, and about the future of this country, Hussain said a statement could only be made by Musharraf on this issue. ''However,'' Hussain noted as a parliamentarian he believed that territorial integrity of every country should be preserved and that country should be administered by a government reflecting the will of people.
(UK-AY-AÖ) 07.01.2004