Turkey, Pakistan discuss economic cooperation opportunities

Ankara, TURKEY | October 30, 2008 by D-8 Secretariat

Economic cooperation opportunities between Turkey and Pakistan were discussed in a meeting in capital Ankara on Tuesday. Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Pakistani PM Gilani held a press conference in the capital Ankara on Tuesday.

Trade volume between Turkey and Pakistan should be boosted and both countries were determined to increase this figure to 1 billion U.S. dollars, Erdogan told reporters.

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Turkey attached a special importance to prosperity and tranquility of Pakistan.

Erdogan said Gilani and he discussed bilateral relations and the problems in the Middle East in the meeting.

Also attending the meeting, Turkish Justice Minister Mehmet Ali Sahin said that the trade volume between Turkey and Pakistan, which was around 690 million USD currently, should be increased to 1 billion USD as a first step and to a higher figure in the consecutive years.

Speaking at the meeting, Rifat Hisarciklioglu, chairperson of the Union of Chambers & Commodity Exchanges in Turkey (TOBB), said that the Turkish private sector believed in Pakistan's future and desired to contribute to the establishment of such future.

Pakistani Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, who delivered a speech at the meeting as well, said that Pakistan desired to see Turkey as a role model in sustainable economic growth.

Noting that both Turkey and Pakistan were located on important trade and energy routes, Gilani said the two countries should use their geographical positions properly.

Gilani also said that Pakistan could act as a shortcut to Asian countries for Turkey and the two countries could cooperate in Asia as well.

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