ANKARA (AA) - Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday that Turkey had been supporting Pakistan`s policy about Kashmir.
Prime Minister Erdogan and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz of Pakistan held a joint news conference following their tete-a-tete meeting in Ankara.
Speaking at the news conference, Prime Minister Erdogan said, ``our meetings have focused on military, commercial, economic and cultural relations between Turkey and Pakistan. Also, regional developments such as Cyprus, Iraq, Afghanistan, Israel-Palestine and Kashmir have been discussed. There are many affinities in our views about the developments in our region. Those affinities are the signs of our historical and cultural unity.``
Prime Minister Erdogan said that trade volume between the two countries was far below the desired level and called on the Pakistani premier to extend more efforts for enhancement of bilateral economic and commercial relations.
Noting that they had also discussed steps to be taken by the two countries under the structure of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) and the United Nations, Erdogan said that number of flights from Turkey to Pakistan would be increased.
Referring to the issue of Kashmir, Erdogan said, ``Pakistan has the will to resolve the issue. We consider it quite positive. We support Pakistan`s policy about Kashmir.``
Meanwhile, prior to the news conference a protocol was signed between the two countries on implementation of their Scientific and Technical Cooperation Agreement.
2005-06-01