Category: Asia and Pacific

  • Viva Pakistan-Turkey friendship: ‘We are one nation living in two states’

    Viva Pakistan-Turkey friendship: ‘We are one nation living in two states’

    Uzun yaşamak Türkiye ve Uzun yaşamak Pakistan! Viva Pakistan-Turkey friendship

    The Pakistani flag is based on the old Ottoman religious flag system like this one. Pakistan and Turkey don't jsut share a Crescent and Star and a flag–they share a common history, religion and ethnicity

    Pakistan and Turkey don’t jsut share a Crescent and Star and a flag–they share a common history, religion and ethnicity. The current government of Turkey has made Turkey the 17th largest economy in the world. It has now undertaken massive projects around the world to spread its power and influence. Many hope of the Neo-Ottomans to resurrect Muslim unity. Others see Ankara as a bridge between the East and the West.

    Gialni while speaking to the Turkish grand assembly said

    “It is a relationship predating our modern states, an affinity transcending generations. Our people’s affection for Turkey is spontaneous, their love, deep and sincere,”

    “There may be a distance of thousand miles between Jinnah Cadesi in Ankara and Ataturk Avenue in Islamabad, but there are no spaces between our hearts. We are one nation living in two states.”

    Gilani also referred to the spiritual bond between Maulana Rumi and Allama Iqbal that epitomises the essence of Pak-Turk relationship. He said the two great thinkers, who lived centuries apart, shared a common thread of spiritualism. PM Gilani (The Nation).

    The effusive eulogies were not one sided. President Gul also had some very good words to say “Gül described both the award and the medal bestowed upon Gilani as “a strong symbol of eternal, everlasting and unwavering fraternal relationship between our countries and our peoples.” (Daily Zaman)

    Both sides were tight-lipped about the burgeoning military cooperation between the two countries–however it is common knowledge that Turkey and Pakistan are working together in UAVs, and Satellites.  Ankara is also extremely interested in the JF-17 Thunders.

    Turkish President Abdullah Gul and Gilani discussed ways to reinvigorate and deepen Pakistan-Turkey ties by widening cooperation in all spheres.

    Erdogan said the Turkish defence industry had significant production capacity in armoured personnel carriers, unmanned aerial vehicles and sea vessels. He said Turkey would start production of attack helicopters by 2013, while referring to possibilities of defence cooperation between the two countries.

    PM Gilani met with Turkish Grand National Assembly Speaker Mehmet Ali Shaheen, co-chaired the first plenary session of the High-Level Cooperation Council along with the Turkish PM, and visited the mausoleum of Mustafa Kamal Ataturk. Daily Times.

    Turkey is eager to build wind farms and housing in Pakistan.

    The Tribune Express from Pakistan reports. ANKARA: Pakistan and Turkey signed 18 Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) in Ankara on Tuesday, in the first-ever meeting of the High Level Cooperation Council (HPCC).

    The HPCC brings together senior cabinet ministers from Turkey and Pakistan to actively work on avenues of cooperation between the two countries. A senior Pakistani official described the HPCC as a “joint cabinet”.

    Significant MoUs were signed between the health ministries of the two countries, focusing on post-disaster health services, training health personnel and reducing maternal and child mortality rates. More significantly, Turkey also signed a MoU offering Pakistan concessions on Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO) trade. Turkey also focused on assisting Pakistan on post-flood infrastructure reconstruction with the Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan pointing out that Turkey had extensive experience in the housing sector and would offer its expertise to Pakistan on rebuilding homes, schools and hospitals in the flood-affected areas.

    The Turkish prime minister also said that Pakistan had a critical need for clean drinking water, which was a project that he wanted to focus on.

    This focus on the social sectors is likely to be somewhat disappointing for Pakistan, which was hoping to sign MoUs and agreements on projects such as Thar Coal, hydroelectric power and oil and gas exploration. Pakistan had focused extensively on attracting investment in these sectors, a move that Turkey seems to have set aside for now.

    Nevertheless, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani is likely to return to Pakistan as a happy man given that Turkish President Abdullah Gul awarded him the Jamhuriyat Nisan (Republic Order).

    Earlier in the day, Gilani also addressed the Grand National Assembly, where he suggested raising the level of trade with Turkey to $2 billion by 2012 and asked the Turkish government to encourage its private sector. Gilani, who became the first Pakistani head of state to address the 90-year-old Grand National Assembly, said the Jamhuriyat Nisan was a great honour for him.

    In response to a question by a Turkish journalist in the press conference, Prime Minister Erdogan commented on WikiLeaks, explaining that Turkey had formed a commission to follow up on the disclosures made on the website. The commission comprises the justice ministry, the prime minister’s office and the foreign ministry. He sharply criticised the leaks, saying it would negatively impact America’s diplomatic efforts. (With additional input from APP). Published in The Express Tribune, December 8th, 2010.

    Gilani ended his speech at the grand Assembly of Turkey with the words.

    “Viva Pakistan-Turkey friendship”.

    Uzun yaşamak Türkiye ve Uzun yaşamak Pakistan!

    Uzun yaşamak Pakistan Turkey dostluk

    Sevgili Türk erkek kardeş ve kız kardeş Pakistanis ve Türk erkek kardeş

    via Viva Pakistan-Turkey friendship: ‘We are one nation living in two states’ « Rupee News.

  • Istanbul and South Korea will organize “World Culture EXPO” in 2013

    Istanbul and South Korea will organize “World Culture EXPO” in 2013

    Both Istanbul and Gyeongsangbuk-do, a province of South Korea signed a “Goodwill Agreement”, which includes cooperation in the cultural field in Istanbul. As part of the agreement, both cities will organize “World Culture EXPO” in 2013.

    Haber Tarihi : 12/3/2010 12:00:00 AM

    Both Istanbul and Gyeongsangbuk-do, a province of the South Korea signed a “Goodwill Agreement”, which includes cooperation in the cultural field in Istanbul. As part of the agreement, both cities will organize “World Culture EXPO” in 2013.

    Both Istanbul and Gyeongsangbuk-do, a province of the South Korea signed a goodwill agreement including cooperation in the cultural field in order to bolster mutual understanding between the two countries. Mr. Ahmet Selamet, the first Deputy Mayor of the Istanbul and Mr. Kong Weon Sik, the deputy governor of Gyeongsangbuk-do  province signed the goodwill agreement at the Saraçhane Municipal Office.

    Mr. Numan Güzey, the head of Culture and Social Affairs Department, Mr. Jong Kyoung Hong, the consul general of the South Korea in Istanbul and  Mr. Sang Jim Kim, the president of  the Turkish- S.Korean Friendship and Cooperation Association attended in the signing ceremony.

    Speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Ahmet Selamet, the first Deputy Mayor of the Istanbul, specified that they had historical and cultural ties with the South Korea and he said: “Both Istanbul and Gyeongsangbuk-do will organize the  “World Culture EXPO” in 2013 together and I hope that they would succeed. We are delighted to welcome the delegation of dear governor in Istanbul and look forward to developing new areas for cooperation.”

    On behalf of Gyeongsangbuk-do, a province of the South Korea, Mr. Kong Weon Sik, the deputy governor stated that the South Korean people owed a debt of gratitude to the Turkish people for the brave heroism and brotherhood shown during the Korean War, he continued: “We wanted to improve the further development of bilateral relations between two cities Gyeongsangbuk-do and Istanbul.”

    After the ceremony, Mr. Ahmet Selamet and Mr. Kong Weon Sik, signed the “Goodwill Agreement” which includes cooperation in the cultural field and to organize “World Culture EXPO” in 2013 on December 2nd, 2010.

    via İstanbul Büyükşehir Belediyesi.

  • Azerbaijani MP to discuss anti-tobacco fight with Turkish counterparts

    Azerbaijani MP to discuss anti-tobacco fight with Turkish counterparts

    guliyevMP Musa Guliyev will leave to Istanbul by the line of the World Health Organization, news service for the Azerbaijani parliament reports.

    Within the framework of the visit, the parliamentarian will hold a number of meetings with his Turkish counterparts to exchange views on tasks of the WHO framework convention on fighting tobacco, Turkey’s experience in anti-tobacco fight and measures taken in Azerbaijan in this direction.

    Guliyev’s visit to Turkey will last until December 11.

    1news.az

  • Turkish party leader visits Armenian Surb Prkich hospital in Istanbul

    Turkish party leader visits Armenian Surb Prkich hospital in Istanbul

    On December 7, Turkey’s Saadet (Felicity) party leader Numan Kurtulmush visited Armenian Surb Prkich (Holy Savior) hospital in Istanbul and met with Chairman of Board of Trustees Petros Sirinoglu and its members.

    numan kurtulmusAccording to Internethaber, Turkish party leader’s visit to Armenian hospital was behind doors. Later, Kurtulmush answered reporters’ questions, stressing he visited the hospital at the invitation of Petros Sirinoglu.

    “It was a good occasion to see lots of things and get acquainted with this cultural heritage, as well as Armenians’ contribution to Turkey’s culture under Ottoman Empire,” he said.

    “Muslim and non-Muslim nations live in peace in Turkey. We should be well-informed of our shared problems,” Kurtulmush noted.

    In conclusion, the Turkish politician said that his Saadet party is ready to become a political force, representing problems of the local Armenian community.

    via Turkish party leader visits Armenian Surb Prkich hospital in Istanbul | Armenia News – NEWS.am.

  • Governor Istanbul fetes PM Gilani

    Governor Istanbul fetes PM Gilani

    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 ).

  • Pakistan-Turkey to undertake joint defence productions

    Pakistan-Turkey to undertake joint defence productions

    ISLAMABAD, Dec 7 (APP): Pakistan and Turkey agreed to further enhance bilateral cooperation in various fields particularly in the area of defence.Both the brotherly countries highlighted the need for undertaking Joint Defence Productions benefitting the two brotherly nations in terms of improving and strengthening their defence capability.A unanimous agreement focussing the joint defence productions was reached at a meeting held between Minister for Defence Ch. Ahmad Mukhtar and his Turkish counterpart Vecdi Gonul, in Ankara on Tuesday, says a fax message received from Ankara.

    The meeting reviewed the ongoing projects in the defence sector that includes the overhauling of F-16 aircraft. It was agreed to strengthen the existing high level cooperation forum that provides a better platform for improving our relations in various fields.

    The minister also thanked his Turkish counterpart for providing assistance for the rehabilitation of flood victims of Pakistan.

    via Associated Press Of Pakistan ( Pakistan’s Premier NEWS Agency ).