Musharraf: Roles Of Our Countries In The 21st Century Resemble Each Other

ISTANBUL - President Pervez Musharraf of Pakistan said on Sunday, ''roles of Turkey and Pakistan in the 21st century resemble each other. We share a modern and tolerant vision. We support regional peace and want stability to become dominant in the 21st century.''
Speaking at a conference at the War Academies Command, President Musharraf who came to Turkey to attend the Seventh Summit Meeting of Heads of State and Government of Member Countries to the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) expressed his pleasure with being in Turkey.
Noting that relations between Turkey and Pakistan based on a common history and inheritance, President Musharraf said, ''relations and ties between our countries have been further improving in the course of the time within the framework of common desires, confidence and mutual understanding. Turkish and Pakistani people have been supporting each other on all international issues.''
Pointing out that Pakistan had always defended Turkey's view about the legal and fundamental rights, President Musharraf said, ''I remember that each Pakistani was ready to fight with Turkey during the Peace Operation in Cyprus in 1974. There was a Turkish student called Atilla Basaran. We were attending the same lessons. I told him that if Turkey wanted Pakistan's assistance, I was ready to fight for Turkey.''
President Musharraf expressed Pakistan's gratitude to Turkey for its support about Kashmir.
He noted that bilateral defense relations between the two countries had institutionalized.
Stressing that military relations between the two countries would turn into a cooperation between the governments, Musharraf said roles of Turkey and Pakistan were similar to each other. ''We share a contemporary vision which has tolerance. Basis of this vision has been shared by our founders Ataturk and Cinnah. Both of them fought for peace within and outside the country. We support a regional peace and we want stability to prevail in the 21st century. Pakistan will always be a part of global coalition formed against international terrorism.''
Mentioning Afghanistan issue, Musharraf said they were pleased over coming of peace in Afghanistan, and noted that Pakistan supported Karzai government. Musharraf said they were also pleased that units of Turkish Armed Forces constituted a very important part of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF). This unit provides security in Kabul and Afghanistan. They are resolved to bring stability to Afghanistan.''
Pointing out that a schedule was mentioned on ISAF issue, Musharraf said, ''in this context we should adopt a strategy based on influence. This strategy should not be dependent on time. The results and effects which we wanted to create should be importance while evaluating it. An important element of the existing strategy should be establishment of Afghan police organization and Afghan army. This army should spread throughout the country and should take its place by helping ISAF. Afghanistan should protect itself with its own army and police organization. This should be fulfilled according to the desires and demands of Karzai government.''
Musharraf recalled that an agreement was reached to provide four billion U.S. dollars to Afghanistan according to Tokyo Agreement, adding that political stability would be provided in case this money is provided.
Musharraf said other countries in the region would take their places in equal status after re-building of Afghanistan.