Pakistan, Turkey agree to speed up work on Free Trade Area

The Foreign Office (FO) of Pakistan in a statement said that the two leaders expressed satisfaction on positive momentum in their brotherly relations, achieved as a result of frequent high-level exchanges as well as signature economic projects, like Metro Bus, urban waste management and energy sector cooperation.

They agreed to further enhance cooperation in defence industry and maintain high-level contacts on important regional and strategic matters.

The two leaders also reviewed regional and global issues of peace and security, with a particular focus on Afghanistan and Syria.

Mr. Sartaj Aziz briefed his Turkish counterpart on the situation in Afghanistan. It was agreed to maintain their bilateral and trilateral mechanisms of consultations.

The Turkish Foreign Minister appreciated the positive role played by Pakistan in the Afghan peace and reconciliation process. Foreign Minister Sinirlioğulu gave a roundup of the situation in Syria and Turkish endeavours to find a peaceful solution.

In response, Mr. Sartaj Aziz commended the efforts of the Turkish Government to host over two million Syrian refugees.

He briefed Mr. Sinirlioğulu on preparation of Heart of Asia/Istanbul Process Ministerial Conference, to be held in Islamabad, later this year. Appreciating the progress achieved in the Istanbul Process, the Turkish Foreign Minister promised active participation by Turkey.