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<\/p>\nPrime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday, reiterating the close bond between Pakistan and Turkiye, said the two nations were \u201ctwo hearts with one soul\u201d, while emphasising that the bilateral economic partnership was \u201centering a new phase\u201d.<\/p>\n
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He made the remarks during a joint press conference in Istanbul with President Recep Tayyip Erdo\u011fan during his official visit to Turkiye. The two leaders had held a bilateral meeting prior to the press briefing.<\/p>\n
In his remarks, PM Shehbaz described discussions with Erdogan as \u201cvery comprehensive and productive discussions\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe expressed satisfaction over the growing momentum in bilateral trade, investment and industrial cooperation, while reviewing concrete steps to unlock the full potential of our economic partnership,\u201d he elaborated.<\/p>\n
PM Shehbaz remarked that a \u201ctremendous reservoir of goodwill\u201d between the two nations provided them a \u201cunique and ideal opportunity to achieve our mutually-agreed target of $5bn in bilateral trade\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cPakistan and Turkiye have always stood firmly beside one another on issues of fundamental national importance,\u201d he said, affirming that Islamabad will continue to stand firmly with Ankara over the issue of the\u00a0Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus<\/a>.<\/p>\n The prime minister expressed Pakistan\u2019s \u201cprofound appreciation for Turkiye\u2019s principled and unwavering support for the people of Jammu and Kashmir and their legitimate right to self-determination\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cPresident Erdogan and I reaffirmed our shared belief that dialogue, diplomacy and mutual respect remain the only sustainable path to resolving disputes and preserving international peace and security,\u201d he emphasised.<\/p>\n The premier extended his \u201cdeep and sincere appreciation for Turkiye\u2019s strong and steadfast support\u201d for Pakistan\u2019s peace efforts that culminated in the\u00a0Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding<\/a>, which was\u00a0signed<\/a>\u00a0on June 18 to end the US-Iran war.<\/p>\n \u201cThe future of Pakistan-Turkiye relations is infinitely promising and bright,\u201d PM Shehbaz remarked.<\/p>\n He asserted that the decisions made \u201ctoday will not remain words on paper, but they will translate into greater trade, stronger investment, deeper strategic cooperation and above all, a better future for our peoples\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cTurkiye\u2019s success is Pakistan\u2019s success; Pakistan\u2019s progress is T\u00fcrkiye\u2019s progress,\u201d the prime minister said, assuring Erdogan of Islamabad\u2019s unwavering commitment to further strengthen their countries\u2019 partnership.<\/p>\n PM Shehbaz had begun his address by thanking the Turkish side\u2019s hospitality and hailing the \u201cunique friendship\u201d between the two nations forged through shared history and common faith.<\/p>\n \u201cPakistan has always found its home in the hearts of the people of Turkiye, just as Turkiye lives in the hearts of every Pakistani,\u201d he remarked.<\/p>\n He noted that the people of both countries stood together in moments that \u201cshaped the course of history\u201d, such as Turkiye\u2019s War of Independence, when\u00a0Muslims of the subcontinent<\/a>\u00a0supported Turkiye\u2019s efforts for independence.<\/p>\n \u201cMothers took off their bangles, young daughters gave away their cherished jewellery, and countless families sacrificed their savings \u2014 a remarkable expression of love and solidarity,\u201d the premier said.<\/p>\n He added: \u201cBut little did our forefathers know that this selfless generosity would be one day returned by the people of Turkiye with even greater compassion, affection and brotherhood.\u201d<\/p>\n Highlighting that Turkiye always stood with Pakistan during difficult times, PM Shehbaz said: \u201cThat spirit of solidarity was reciprocated with remarkable generosity whenever Pakistan faced adversity.<\/p>\n \u201cWhether during war, devastating earthquakes or catastrophic floods, the people of Turkiye stood firmly by Pakistan,\u201d he said, recalling Erdogan\u2019s\u00a0visit to flood-affected areas<\/a>\u00a0of Pakistan in 2010 and his wife Emine Erdogan\u00a0donating her necklace<\/a>\u00a0to support flood victims.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n