Photo released by Press Information Department (PID) on Sept. 14, 2018 shows Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi (R) shaking hands with his Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu in Islamabad, capital of Pakistan. (Xinhua/PID)
ISLAMABAD, Sept. 14 (Xinhua) -- The visiting Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu held official talks with his Pakistani counterpart Shah Mehmood Qureshi here on Friday and appreciated Pakistan's "successful and strong action to subdue and defeat the menace of extremism and terrorism," officials said.
The Turkish foreign minister, who arrived in Islamabad early on Friday, is accompanied by a high-level delegation.
Both the foreign ministers held a one-on-one meeting followed by delegation level talks in which senior officials from both sides were present, Pakistani foreign ministry said.
Speaking at a joint press conference after official talks, Qureshi and Cavusoglu said Pakistan and Turkey have agreed to further bolster their trade, economic, investment and defense relations.
Qureshi said the meeting also provided an opportunity to discuss the progress on Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
"Both sides agreed to revive the process of talks on FTA and take it to logical conclusion at the earliest," the Pakistani foreign minister said and referred to the high level strategic council exists between the two countries, which provides mechanism to ensure implementation on the already signed projects.
Qureshi noted that regular exchange of high-level visits, and presence of a number of institutional frameworks under the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council (HLSCC), was indicative of the close bilateral ties maintained at various levels. Pakistan and Turkey support each other on all issues of core concern to both sides.
Both sides reiterated to make collective efforts in confronting the growing islamophobia and other attempts to malign or distort the great message of peace and respect for humanity imbibed in Islam.
The Turkish foreign minister said his country will encourage the Turkish companies to invest in different sectors in Pakistan.
"We also desire to further deepen our defense relations," Cavusoglu said, adding, "Our defense industries have developed tremendously over a period of time and we have expertise in different areas and we can greatly benefit from each other's experiences."
The Turkish foreign minister also called on Pakistan's army chief Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa, during which, the focus of the discussion remained on Pakistan-Turkey relations, regional security including evolving situation in the Middle East, the management of defense and security cooperation between both the countries, the military said.
"The Turkish foreign minister acknowledged and appreciated Pakistan's contributions for conflict prevention in the region and also pledged to keep working for better relations between the two brotherly countries," an army statement said.
