ISLAMABAD - Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan said on Saturday that there has been a consensus of opinion to organize second summit of presidents of Afghanistan and Pakistan in Turkey in June.
Babacan, currently on a formal visit to Pakistan, started his schedule by meeting Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mehmood Qureshi of Pakistan.
Speaking at a joint news conference after the talks, Babacan said Turkey would host a working group meeting in May in the level of undersecretaries aiming to improve relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Babacan said a meeting of presidents of Turkey, Afghanistan and Pakistan was also planned to take place in June in Turkey.
Pakistani Foreign Minister Qureshi said there was consensus between Turkey and Pakistan over the international matters as well as the bilateral relations.
Qureshi said boosting bilateral and strategic relations was discussed during his meeting with Babacan, and thanked to Turkey`s support on Kashmir.
"Pakistan`s support to Turkey on Cyprus will continue," he underlined.
Qureshi said economic and defense cooperation between Turkey and Pakistan made progress. "Trade volume is 690 million USD. Both parties should endeavor to amount this figure to 2 billion USD," he said.
Qureshi underlined that Turkey assumed a key role in talks between Afghanistan and Pakistan.
-MEETING WITH MUSHARRAF
Babacan was later received by Pakistan`s President Pervez Musharraf. The meeting lasted for 35 minutes.
Babacan will also have a meeting with Pakistan`s Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani and Asif Ali Zardari, co-chairman of Pakistan People`s Party and former Pakistan PM Benazir Bhutto`s husband.
Turkish FM is expected to return to Turkey on Saturday night.
(AY)