Turkey will be near Pakistan in difficult times

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan Monday told Pakistani parliament that Turkey would stand by Pakistan in the hour of trial, IRNA reported.

"Pakistan's pain is our pain, Pakistan's happiness is our happiness... There is no example of the deep love held between Pakistani people and the Turkish people. I feel like I am at home here, I feel like I am with my relatives and brothers," Erdogan told the joint session of the parliament.

The parliament session was exclusively summoned for the address of the Turkish Prime Minister, his second address to the Pakistan parliament in four years.

The Turkish Prime Minister also announced cooperation with Pakistan in fighting against extremism.

"Pakistan is not alone in its fight against terrorism. We are always ready to help it. We will take all measures to ensure peace and stability in the region."

He also stressed the need for an increase in bilateral trade to $2 billion for economic prosperity of the two countries. He said that the second High-Level Cooperation Council meeting with his Pakistani counterpart, Yusuf Raza Gilani will take place on Tuesday, to discuss ways of strengthening bilateral ties.

During the meeting, discussions will be held to increase the economic cooperation between the two countries from one billion to more than 2 billion dollars, he added.

Giving advice to the angry Pakistani opposition, the Turkish Prime Minister said that opposition parties are meant to reform governments and not to try to force them out or pass unnecessary criticism.

The opposition lawmakers, who had been creating uproar in the parliament in recent weeks to protest against Prime Minister Gilani following his conviction in contempt of court, did not protest during the speech of the Turkish Prime Minister.

Erdogan said the parliament plays a very important role in protecting the country, adding there is heavy responsibility on the members of the parliament. The Turkish PM arrived in Islamabad on Sunday night on a three-day visit, his 5th to Pakistan.

Pakistani Prime Minister called Erdogan's address to the parliament another milestone in Pakistan-Turkey relationship, and said that the friendship between the two Muslim nations is very old and emerged many years before the creation of Pakistan.

"Turkey is emerging as a role model for the Islamic world in terms of democracy," he said, adding that we are keen to learn from our Turkish brothers.

Detailing the ongoing projects between the two countries, Gilani said that they have signed a declaration of high-level cooperation. "This initiative will further boost our relationship," he beamed.

In his address to welcome the Turkish Prime Minister, Opposition leader Chaudhry Nisar extended salutations of the people of Pakistan to Erdogan.

"I welcome you as a well-wisher and an ally of Pakistan," he said. The Leader of the Opposition told the Turkish Prime Minister that the opposition is only present in the parliament today because of his arrival.

"You have come to Pakistan at a very difficult point in time; we, as a country, are facing problems globally and locally," he said, adding that the opposition has decided to put all its political difference aside and welcome a true friend of Pakistan.


/Trend/