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ISLAMABAD, Oct 13: Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday that his country was prepared to go to any length in negotiations on defence cooperation with Pakistan.
Talking to this correspondent while travelling to Karachi, Mr Erdogan, who was accompanied by Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, said that while Pakistan was ahead of Turkey in some ways, his country also had attained advancements in some fields of defence production and cooperation would be beneficial for both.
When asked about his governments victory in a recent referendum on constitutional reforms, he said: We have tried to strike a balance between powers of various institutions and laid the foundation of an advanced democracy with the hope that no one will be able to disrupt it in the future.
Asked if he would like Pakistan to follow his countrys example of establishing diplomatic relations with Israel, he said the decision was up to the leadership of Pakistan.
In fact, he added, Israel was obstructing the peace process in the Middle East.
He said Israels latest incursions into the West Bank, illegal construction of settlements and continuous skirmishes with Hamas caused an unending crisis. He said Israeli forces illegal attack on a flotilla in the open seas was a big crime in which nine Turkish people were killed. He said Israel must apologise for its crime and pay compensation.
Replying to a question about Kurds rebellion, he said: They were getting financial and political aid both from abroad and inside. It is interesting that the opponents of the government who denounce terrorism not only harbour those involved in terror, but are also providing them financial and political support.
He alleged that some western neighbours of Turkey were also arming and financing the rebellion.
Answering another question, he said there could be no parallel between the issues of Turkish Cyprus and Kashmir because both were of different nature.
The Turkish prime minister said the Kashmir issue was easy to resolve if Pakistan and India willingly talked to each other and decided to settle it once and for all.
He said the problem of Afghanistan could be solved by a dialogue involving all players of the region.
Earlier, addressing a public gathering in Mehmudabad near Muzaffargarh, the Turkish prime minister said the forces were conspiring to destabilise Pakistan which were also involved in spreading terrorism in Turkey.
He asked the people of Pakistan not to allow such elements to damage the interests of the country and declared that Turkey would work together with Pakistan for its stability and strength.
Mr Erdogan visited the flood-affected areas in Punjab and Sindh and promised continued Turkish support for relief and rehabilitation of the displaced people.
DAWN.COM | Front Page | Erdogan for closer cooperation in defence sector
Talking to this correspondent while travelling to Karachi, Mr Erdogan, who was accompanied by Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, said that while Pakistan was ahead of Turkey in some ways, his country also had attained advancements in some fields of defence production and cooperation would be beneficial for both.
When asked about his governments victory in a recent referendum on constitutional reforms, he said: We have tried to strike a balance between powers of various institutions and laid the foundation of an advanced democracy with the hope that no one will be able to disrupt it in the future.
Asked if he would like Pakistan to follow his countrys example of establishing diplomatic relations with Israel, he said the decision was up to the leadership of Pakistan.
In fact, he added, Israel was obstructing the peace process in the Middle East.
He said Israels latest incursions into the West Bank, illegal construction of settlements and continuous skirmishes with Hamas caused an unending crisis. He said Israeli forces illegal attack on a flotilla in the open seas was a big crime in which nine Turkish people were killed. He said Israel must apologise for its crime and pay compensation.
Replying to a question about Kurds rebellion, he said: They were getting financial and political aid both from abroad and inside. It is interesting that the opponents of the government who denounce terrorism not only harbour those involved in terror, but are also providing them financial and political support.
He alleged that some western neighbours of Turkey were also arming and financing the rebellion.
Answering another question, he said there could be no parallel between the issues of Turkish Cyprus and Kashmir because both were of different nature.
The Turkish prime minister said the Kashmir issue was easy to resolve if Pakistan and India willingly talked to each other and decided to settle it once and for all.
He said the problem of Afghanistan could be solved by a dialogue involving all players of the region.
Earlier, addressing a public gathering in Mehmudabad near Muzaffargarh, the Turkish prime minister said the forces were conspiring to destabilise Pakistan which were also involved in spreading terrorism in Turkey.
He asked the people of Pakistan not to allow such elements to damage the interests of the country and declared that Turkey would work together with Pakistan for its stability and strength.
Mr Erdogan visited the flood-affected areas in Punjab and Sindh and promised continued Turkish support for relief and rehabilitation of the displaced people.
DAWN.COM | Front Page | Erdogan for closer cooperation in defence sector
