President Erdogan of Turkey will visit Pakistan this week as part of a three-nation Asia tour aimed at strengthening relations with Malaysia and Indonesia. The agenda includes discussions on international conflicts and enhancing cooperation in defense, specifically the purchase of naval vessels. Erdogan’s previous visit to Pakistan occurred in February 2020, emphasizing a robust partnership between the two nations.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey is scheduled to visit Pakistan this week as part of a three-nation tour across Asia, which will include stops in Malaysia and Indonesia. The purpose of this visit is to foster closer relations with these nations and address various pressing international issues, such as the ongoing Palestine-Israel conflict, the situation in Syria, and the Russia-Ukraine conflict, as reported by the Turkish news outlet Daily Sabah.
During his four-day trip, President Erdogan will kick off his engagements in Malaysia before proceeding to Indonesia and ultimately arriving in Pakistan. The report highlights that relations between Turkey and Pakistan have reached unprecedented heights throughout Erdogan’s presidency, particularly with respect to defense cooperation, including agreements for the procurement of naval vessels and uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs).
Pakistan was notably the first country to engage in a purchase agreement for Turkey’s domestically produced naval vessels under the MILGEM project. Erdogan’s last visit to Pakistan took place in February 2020, where he met with then-President Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Imran Khan to bolster the strategic partnership and economic connections between the two nations.
Recently, former President Asif Ali Zardari held discussions with President Erdogan during a brief stopover at Istanbul Airport while en route to Portugal. The Turkish Foreign Minister, Hakan Fidan, warmly welcomed President Zardari, and the discussions centered around strengthening bilateral relations and other areas of mutual interest.
In summary, President Erdogan’s upcoming visit to Pakistan is part of a strategic effort to enhance Turkey’s relations with Malaysia, Indonesia, and Pakistan, focusing on cooperation in defense and other critical international issues. This visit underscores the longstanding partnership and cooperation between Turkey and Pakistan, particularly in defense procurement.
Original Source: www.dawn.com
