Pakistan, Turkey pledge to strengthen cooperation

Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan co-chaired the second meeting of High-Level Cooperation Council (HLCC) and agreed to boost bilateral relations in all sectors, particularly security, energy, communication, trade and culture.
The meeting at the Prime Minister’s House, scheduled for 45 minutes, went on for 90 minutes as the two leaders discussed expansion of the cooperation in multiple fields. The high-level delegations from both countries assisted their prime ministers in working out the details.
The joint declaration issued at the conclusion of the meeting said Pakistan and Turkey recognised “a common vision and desire for peace and prosperity of their people and their region”.
It was agreed that cooperation between the security agencies of Pakistan and Turkey would be broadened in the fields of counter-terrorism and drug trafficking, especially in the areas of capacity building and exchange of experience.
It was also agreed that the two countries would intensify their ongoing cooperation while defence-related industries would focus on joint defence production and related research and development activities.
On energy cooperation, it was decided that power generation would be developed through strengthening of information sharing on energy projects and facilitation of private sector involvement.
A meeting will be held in Turkey before the end of 2012 to enhance cooperation in the field of renewable energy.
The two sides agreed to increase cooperation in the fields of geothermal sources, geo-information systems and remote sensing through exchange of scientific and technical information, exchange of expertise, study visits and training.
Pakistan and Turkey decided to devise a plan of action in energy sector agreed during the meeting of their presidents on April 2, 2010. The Joint Working Group on Energy would work on the plan of action and would present its recommendations to the next HLCC.
The two sides agreed to encourage private Pakistani and Turkish companies to set up hydro-electric power stations and sub-stations on turn-key basis.
In the field of education, Turkey will supply teachers, curriculum and training materials for Turkish language courses provided that the Turkish language be introduced in the curriculum in Pakistan.
The two sides decided to form a Joint Working Group on Technical and Vocational Training, introduce new exchange programmes for civil experts in the fields of energy, transport, agriculture, security services and public administration, scholarship schemes and proposals to set up techno parks.