Turkey and Pakistan vow to enhance bilateral ties with "strategic perspective"

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said Turkey and Pakistan are determined to enhance cooperation on a bilateral level and on international platforms after meeting with Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif in Ankara on Wednesday.

"We have comprehensively discussed our bilateral relations, and regional and global issues," Erdoğan said while addressing a joint news conference with Sharif, following the one-on-one and delegation-level talks in Ankara.

Sharif said Pakistan and Turkey have stood by each other in times of need and on issues of core interest.

Pakistan stands with Turkey in its fight against terrorism, said the Pakistani prime minister, adding: "Enemies of Turkey are enemies of Pakistan."

The Pakistani premier said the two sides will further the bilateral ties with focus on trade, defense, energy, tourism and education, and that he looks forward to welcome Erdoğan in Islamabad in September.

Terming Pakistan and Turkey as "natural partners," Sharif said a "strong" business delegation from Turkey will visit Pakistan for "solid and productive results."

Lauding Turkey's progress in e-commerce, tourism, education and infrastructure, Sharif said Pakistan would be "very happy" to get Turkey's support in sectors such as hydropower generation and renewable energy.

"We would be very happy in terms of investments by our Turkish friends who will make profits and we will get cheap energy, which will be a win-win situation," he said.

The Pakistani prime minister said he expects further cooperation in defense sector including in sale of Turkish-made ATAK helicopters.