ANKARA - President Pervez Musharraf of Pakistan said on Tuesday that they wanted lasting peace in their region and Pakistan would not allow its territories to be used for terrorist actions anywhere in the world.
President Ahmet Necdet Sezer hosted a dinner in honor of Musharraf, who is currently in Turkey on an official visit.
Speaking at the dinner, Musharraf said that cooperation between the two countries continued to develop especially in security field and they should increase their efforts for peace and security by taking into consideration developments in their region.
Musharraf said that Pakistan wanted lasting peace in its region and vicinity, stressing that they, as a member of international coalition against terrorism, would not allow their territories to be used for terrorist actions anywhere in the world. He noted that they were making active cooperation with international coalition and they were also taking a series of measures to remove extremism and separatism from the society.
Noting that they wanted to further improve ties between the two countries, Musharraf said that Turkey was an important country for Pakistan. He stated that they sincerely wanted to set up a new partnership which would be based on trade and investment with Turkey for progress and development.
Musharraf said that Turkey should be sure that Pakistan would continue to support Turkey's efforts to solve the Cyprus issue on the basis of bizonality and two societies.
Stating that Iraq's territorial integrity, sovereignty and rights on its natural resources should be protected, Musharraf said that the United Nations should have a central role in shaping up the future of Iraq. He added that administration of Iraq belonged to Iraqi people and this right should be given back to Iraqi people as soon as possible.
Musharraf also underlined the importance of sovereignty and territorial integrity of Afghanistan.
Stating that Palestine continued to be a serious problem for Islamic World, Musharraf noted that Pakistan always supported Palestinian people's rightful fight against Israeli pressure and it would continue to support it. He added that Palestinian people deserved to have their own country.
Musharraf underlined that misunderstandings increased between West and Muslim World after September 11, stating that Muslim countries should focus on internal reforms and renaissance with socioeconomic development. He added that those countries should block extremism, but encourage moderation.
Stressing that the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) could undertake a central role in that respect, he thanked Turkey for its support to his proposal on setting up a commission which would take up OIC reform with its all dimensions.
Musharraf added that Turkey and Pakistan could play an important role in renewal of OIC.
Pakistani President Musharraf said that they were in favor of a solution which would satisfy especially Kashmir people for settlement of a lasting peace and thanked Turkey for its support on Kashmir problem.
(EÖ-AÖ) 20.01.2004