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High-ranking visitors discussed regional security and sharing of defence knowledge and expertise with their hosts.
ANKARA – Turkey and Pakistan January 29 pledged to intensify their joint defence interests and efforts, a move that analysts predict will help stabilise the region.
Turkish Defence Minister İsmet Yılmaz (left) presents a ceremonial plate to Pakistani Defence Production Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain January 29 in Ankara. [Courtesy of Pakistani Embassy in Ankara]
The two countries recently traded defence-themed visits. Turkish Air Force Chief Gen. Akin Öztürk January 27 flew to Islamabad, where he received an award and held talks with political leaders.
Then Pakistani Defence Production Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain January 28–February 3 led a high-profile defence delegation to Turkey, where he and Turkish Defence Minister İsmet Yılmaz and Turkish defence industry executives discussed various proposals to enhance co-operation, according to a statement by Rana Tanveer Hussain's ministry. The visit is part of regular interaction between the two countries' defence-sector leaders.
The allies renewed their commitment to greater defence collaboration.
Security to an unstable region
The countries' co-operation efforts should help build peace and stability in the region, Pakistani defence analyst Maria Sultan said, noting that Ankara and Islamabad enjoy a deep-rooted strategic relationship.
During the high-level Pakistani delegation's visit to Turkey, talks centred on security issues affecting both countries.
Pakistani and Turkish officials exchanged views on the post-2014 scenario in Afghanistan and hoped that the forthcoming Afghanistan-Pakistan-Turkey summit to be hosted by Turkish President Abdullah Gul would further the cause of peace in Afghanistan.
"Pakistan is keen to work together with friendly countries like Turkey to encourage an Afghan-led reconciliation process for a peaceful and stable Afghanistan," Rana Tanveer Hussain said.
Turkey so far has hosted seven Afghanistan-Pakistan-Turkey trilateral summit meetings, aimed toward strengthening multi-dimensional co-operation among the three countries in security and economic development.
"Turkey is a major regional power and also has very close relations with Afghanistan and Central Asia," Sultan said.
Sharing technology, expertise
Rana Tanveer Hussain's visit gave Pakistani and Turkish officials the chance to discuss defence projects the countries are working on and to renew their commitment to envisioning future joint ventures.
Topics included progress on ongoing defence projects, including upgrades in Turkey to Pakistani F-16 fighter aircraft and construction in Karachi of a logistics support ship for the Pakistani navy by a Turkish contractor, as well as possible technology transfer and exports of military equipment and services. Rana Tanveer Hussain mentioned Pakistani progress in defence manufacturing.
"The level of confidence between the people and leaders of Pakistan and Turkey is always very high, and they support each other at all forums," Lt. Gen. Talat Masood, senior Pakistani defence analyst and former defence secretary, said.
The friendly countries have a history of close defence ties, experience sharing, and joint exercises, he said. They are working on joint defence production systems.
"Defence agreements between Pakistan and Turkey will have far-reaching impact in the next decade and will also help Pakistan onto the road of self-sufficiency," Sultan said, noting how Turkey's modern technology could help Pakistani defence needs.
Turkey is a very close friend and a strategic partner and enjoys convergence with Pakistan on all issues, Masood said.
Turkish visit to Islamabad
Friendship and defence co-operation also figured in Öztürk's visit to Islamabad January.
Pakistani President Mamnoon Hussain awarded him the military Nishan-e-Imtiaz (Order of Excellence) award in recognition of his contribution to promoting Pakistani-Turkish friendship.
Öztürk and Mamnoon Hussain discussed matters relating to defence co-operation between the two countries.
Pakistan is keen to further strengthen trade, investment and defence co-operation with Turkey, the Pakistani president said.
"There is huge potential to boost and further deepen the strategic partnership between the two countries with focus on enhancing commercial, investment and defence ties," a statement by Hussain's office said.
Pakistan, Turkey trade defence leaders' visits - Central Asia Online
ANKARA – Turkey and Pakistan January 29 pledged to intensify their joint defence interests and efforts, a move that analysts predict will help stabilise the region.
Turkish Defence Minister İsmet Yılmaz (left) presents a ceremonial plate to Pakistani Defence Production Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain January 29 in Ankara. [Courtesy of Pakistani Embassy in Ankara]
The two countries recently traded defence-themed visits. Turkish Air Force Chief Gen. Akin Öztürk January 27 flew to Islamabad, where he received an award and held talks with political leaders.
Then Pakistani Defence Production Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain January 28–February 3 led a high-profile defence delegation to Turkey, where he and Turkish Defence Minister İsmet Yılmaz and Turkish defence industry executives discussed various proposals to enhance co-operation, according to a statement by Rana Tanveer Hussain's ministry. The visit is part of regular interaction between the two countries' defence-sector leaders.
The allies renewed their commitment to greater defence collaboration.
Security to an unstable region
The countries' co-operation efforts should help build peace and stability in the region, Pakistani defence analyst Maria Sultan said, noting that Ankara and Islamabad enjoy a deep-rooted strategic relationship.
During the high-level Pakistani delegation's visit to Turkey, talks centred on security issues affecting both countries.
Pakistani and Turkish officials exchanged views on the post-2014 scenario in Afghanistan and hoped that the forthcoming Afghanistan-Pakistan-Turkey summit to be hosted by Turkish President Abdullah Gul would further the cause of peace in Afghanistan.
"Pakistan is keen to work together with friendly countries like Turkey to encourage an Afghan-led reconciliation process for a peaceful and stable Afghanistan," Rana Tanveer Hussain said.
Turkey so far has hosted seven Afghanistan-Pakistan-Turkey trilateral summit meetings, aimed toward strengthening multi-dimensional co-operation among the three countries in security and economic development.
"Turkey is a major regional power and also has very close relations with Afghanistan and Central Asia," Sultan said.
Sharing technology, expertise
Rana Tanveer Hussain's visit gave Pakistani and Turkish officials the chance to discuss defence projects the countries are working on and to renew their commitment to envisioning future joint ventures.
Topics included progress on ongoing defence projects, including upgrades in Turkey to Pakistani F-16 fighter aircraft and construction in Karachi of a logistics support ship for the Pakistani navy by a Turkish contractor, as well as possible technology transfer and exports of military equipment and services. Rana Tanveer Hussain mentioned Pakistani progress in defence manufacturing.
"The level of confidence between the people and leaders of Pakistan and Turkey is always very high, and they support each other at all forums," Lt. Gen. Talat Masood, senior Pakistani defence analyst and former defence secretary, said.
The friendly countries have a history of close defence ties, experience sharing, and joint exercises, he said. They are working on joint defence production systems.
"Defence agreements between Pakistan and Turkey will have far-reaching impact in the next decade and will also help Pakistan onto the road of self-sufficiency," Sultan said, noting how Turkey's modern technology could help Pakistani defence needs.
Turkey is a very close friend and a strategic partner and enjoys convergence with Pakistan on all issues, Masood said.
Turkish visit to Islamabad
Friendship and defence co-operation also figured in Öztürk's visit to Islamabad January.
Pakistani President Mamnoon Hussain awarded him the military Nishan-e-Imtiaz (Order of Excellence) award in recognition of his contribution to promoting Pakistani-Turkish friendship.
Öztürk and Mamnoon Hussain discussed matters relating to defence co-operation between the two countries.
Pakistan is keen to further strengthen trade, investment and defence co-operation with Turkey, the Pakistani president said.
"There is huge potential to boost and further deepen the strategic partnership between the two countries with focus on enhancing commercial, investment and defence ties," a statement by Hussain's office said.
Pakistan, Turkey trade defence leaders' visits - Central Asia Online
Deal?
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