FM Qureshi takes up Afghan issue with Turkish counterpart

FM Qureshi takes up Afghan issue with Turkish counterpart

ISLAMABAD, JAN 04 - Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi met Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu in Ankara on Friday and discussed Afghan peace with him.

The Turkish Foreign Minister was among the first dignitaries who had visited Islamabad in September, soon after the PTI government took over.

 Foreign Minister Qureshi briefed Mr Çavuşoğlu about the recent developments concerning peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan.

He also informed his Turkish counterpart, in detail, about Pakistan's outreach efforts to most important neighbours and regional countries, in the recent weeks, including Afghanistan, Iran, China, Russia and Qatar.

The Foreign Minister added that desire to support and facilitate an inclusive, Afghan owned, Afghan led process had emerged as a notable convergence and shared desire among all, particularly Afghanistan’s neighbours, who had serious stakes in an amicable resolution of the 4 decades old conflict.

The Turkish Foreign Minister said that Pakistan and Turkey, as close partners, would continue their efforts to promote synergies on important issues.

The Foreign Minister appreciated Turkey's key role in strengthening the regional cooperation on Afghanistan through the Heart of Asia – Istanbul process.

Both sides expressed satisfaction on the trajectory of bilateral relations, symbolized by unprecedented traditional warmth and affection, at the peoples level.

This has guided the relationship towards a consistent, harmonious and coordinated approach on various regional and international issues.

Pakistan and Turkey, located at strategic locations, among important regions, faced similar challenges and had a lot to share and benefit from each other's experiences.

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