Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met with Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday at his office in Islamabad to discuss the situation in Gaza and boosting bilateral trade and cooperation.
Erdogan and Sharif jointly chaired bilateral strategic cooperation talks between the countries, which share close historic and cultural ties.
At a televised ceremony, the two leaders also witnessed the signing of 24 agreements and a memorandum of understanding to boosting trade and economic ties.
Seated next to Sharif, the Turkish president said he will encourage businessmen from his country to engage with their Pakistani counterparts. He thanked Pakistan for standing by Turkey after a powerful earthquake hit his country two years ago, causing massive devastation and killing thousands of people.
He said the two sides had “agreed to further strengthen our relations” and renewed their commitment to extending support to the Palestinian people.
“Alongside Pakistan, we strive to provide every effort possible to support to the just cause of our Palestinian brothers, both within the United Nations, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and other platforms," Erdogan said.
“We believe that we must strengthen this determined stance, especially at a time when there are unlawful and morally unacceptable proposals such as tearing our Gazan brothers from their homeland,” Erdogan added, in reference to recent proposals to relocate Palestinians from Gaza.
Sharif also praised Erdogan for his support to the Palestinian people.
Erdogan was earlier welcomed by people in traditional Turkish and Pakistani dresses who lined a key city road that had been decorated with Turkish and Pakistani flags. The crowds danced to the beat of drums as the Turkish leader's convoy passed through the streets.
Erdogan and his wife, Emine Erdogan, were welcomed by Sharif on their arrival at his office. A band played the national anthems of both countries before a ceremony that saw the leaders inspecting a guard of honor.
