FM praises Turkish President Erdogan over Kashmir stance

ISTANBUL: Minister for Foreign Affairs Shah Mehmood Qureshi met the Turkish President Recep Tayyab Erdogan at the sidelines of the Heart of Asia Conference in Istanbul.

The two discussed the bilateral relations between the countries and current situation faced by the entire region. The foreign minister conveyed the congratulatory message from the top Pakistani political leadership to the Turkish President over holding the successful conference.

He also thanked Rajab Tayyab Erdogan for holding the conference and welcoming the country’s delegates with full honour in the conference.

Qureshi applauded the stance Turkey has taken against Indian brutalities in the occupied Kashmir. He said that Erdogan’s voice over suppression of Kashmiris at the hands of state authorities have given them a great courage.

The Turkish president also conveyed his best wishes for the President Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Imran Khan.

READ MORE: Resumption of US-Taliban talks is a positive development: FM

Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi on Monday left for Turkey on a two-day official visit to attend the ninth Heart of Asia moot in Istanbul.

Addressing the 8th Ministerial meeting of the Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process at Istanbul, Qureshi underscored the need for achieving the goal of a secure and stable Afghanistan for the economic progress and prosperity of the entire region.

The foreign minister underlined that recent resumption of efforts for reaching peace and stability in Afghanistan was a positive development.

The foreign minister said that neither any nation could claim to have stronger and more historic bonds with Afghanistan nor any country was more desirous of peace, stability, and prosperity in Afghanistan than Pakistan.

READ MORE: FM boycotts Indian minister’s speech at Turkey conference

He expressed Pakistan’s wish to see the peace process lead to inclusive intra-Afghan negotiations. He cautioned against the “spoilers” in view of their vested interests.

He urged the international community to seize the opportunity for achieving lasting peace in Afghanistan by reaching a broad regional and international consensus.

The Heart of Asia – Istanbul Process — a regional initiative of Afghanistan and Turkey launched in 2011 — has two chairs with Afghanistan as the permanent chair and a co-chair from among the member states that shifts each year.