ISTANBUL, Turkey, Dec 8 (APP): Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani Wednesday said his government was keen for close political and economic ties with Turkey, with a determination to further the relationship on geo-strategic advantages.“Time is now ripe for an enhanced future cooperation amongst our countries. I am confident that as in the past, our bilateral relations will continue to flourish through new projects of mutual interest and import to our nations,” the Prime Minister said at a banquet dinner hosted in his honour by Governor Istanbul Huseyin Avnimutlu.The Prime Minister said Pakistan takes pride in its fraternal relations with Turkey and the cordial relations are marked by a rich reserve of mutual goodwill.
“We have convergent perceptions on important regional and global issues and cooperate closely at multilateral forums,” he said, adding that the ‘special relationship’ defied standards of conventional propriety and was strengthening day by day.
He mentioned the partnership that had been given a strategic direction, and the institution of High Level Cooperation Council which was the highest economic linkage that had been established with any country.
“This unique platform provides us an opportunity to enter into long-term ventures in the fields of energy, trade, investments, security, banking and others,” he said.
The Prime Minister said during his stay in Turkey, he had very useful meetings with Turkish President and the Prime Minister.
“The hallmark of our talks has been the establishment of a roadmap for enhanced cooperation in the 21st century,” he said.
Gilani said Pakistan was the emerging market of 170 million people with a vibrant agriculture and services sector and strategically located at the node linking Eurasia and South Asia, China and the Gulf.
“Our unique position also brings us at crossroads of many viable and inexpensive trade routes,” he said.
The Prime Minister said considering the warm relationship, this friendship had the potential to be translated to a strong and long-lasting business partnership.
The Governor Istanbul welcomed the Prime Minister and his delegation and said his visit would prove as a milestone in strengthening the Pak-Turk relations.
The banquet was attended by Commerce Minister Makhdoom Amin Fahim, Defence Minister Ahmed Mukhtar, Minister for Railways Ghulam Ahmed Bilour and other notables of the Turkish government.
via Associated Press Of Pakistan ( Pakistan’s Premier NEWS Agency ).
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