Pakistan-Turkey Growing the Two Countries Bilateral Ties
A brief report of today’s webinar jointly organized by Youth Diplomacy Forum and International Workshop Platform. The main purpose of both the organizations is to enhance youth cooperation as both the organizations are run by the youth of both countries which is a symbol of enhancing cultural diplomacy and more importantly people to people contact. This webinar took place via the zoom platform.
Keynote Speakers
The keynote speakers were Ambassador Shahid Amin Khan, he is the fourth world chairman of the international human rights commission, and Mr.Hammad Siddique, he is the Ph.D. candidate in political science and international relations from Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University
Key points under discussion
The discussion was centered on the past, present cooperation, and ways forward to strengthen bilateral relations.
The relation between both the brotherly countries dated back to Ottoman Empire. Turkey had relations with the subcontinent. But when the subcontinent divided and two states emerged Turkey was one of the forefront countries to recognize Pakistan after independence. Both the countries were part of CENTO it was a defense pact. In the 1965 war, Turkey also supported Pakistan. Both countries never stepped back to cooperate with each other internationally, regionally, politically, economically, culturally, militarily, and in every hour of need.
The discussion focused on the recent developments. Pakistan and Turkey have maintained long-standing military ties. Turkey is the major arms seller to Pakistan. Turkey previously purchased arms from Pakistan and continues to purchase minor aerial weapons and components from Pakistan.
Read More: https://youthdiplomacyforum.com/2022/12/07/china-qatar-gas-deal/
Both the countries signed a deal to purchase 52 Super Mushak trainer turbo-props from Pakistan to help train new pilots. Pakistan also signed a contract for the acquisition of four MILGEM class ships from Turkey. Recently both countries jointly agreed to produce combat drones.
Both the head of state Imran Khan and Recep Tayyip Erdogan has openly talked about Islam phobia at all forums and both are members of OIC. Both countries raise voices on the issue of Kashmir, Palestine, and Nagorno- Karabakh. Cultural exchange is one of the key factors in enhancing the relations many organizations are working to enhance people-to-people contact.
Both countries cooperate in Joint Relief Program to rehabilitate and help the people of Syria and Palestine. Pakistan provides her services to these countries with the help of Turkish organizations as Pakistan does not have easy access to these countries.
Way Forward
Both countries have always occupied a special place in the hearts and minds of each other and never failed to step back in hours of need. It is clear that Pak-Turkey relations have been taken to next level under the leadership of Imran Khan and Erdogan. One thing which should be brought under discussion is to lift trade barriers, businessmen should be given the ease to invest.
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Unfortunately, our trade never exceeds one million dollars. Human trafficking and illegal immigrants are also a hurdle in enhancing bilateral ties, the authorities should come up with a mechanism to deal with this problem.
More importantly, youth cooperation should be enhanced which is the main aim of both the organizations that arranged this insightful webinar.
The closing remarks were given by the President of the youth diplomacy forum Musawar Hameed Tanoli and the president of International Workshop Platform Halis Akuzum. Both the presidents emphasized youth cooperation between the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and the Republic of Turkey.
As reported by Ms. Aimen Jamil, External Relations Expert and Deputy Director at the youth diplomacy forum.
