- Nawaz Sharif, Abdullah Gul‚ Karzai hold summit meeting in Ankara
- PM says Pakistan committed to peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan
- Says he and Karzai listened to each other’s grievances and discussed solutions
Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif has described 2014 as a defining year in Afghanistan’s history and has emphasised the need for preserving regional peace and security as NATO/ISAF troops draw down from Afghanistan before the end of this year.
While addressing a joint press conference along with Turkish President Abdullah Gul and Afghan President Hamid Karzai after the conclusion of the trilateral summit in Ankara on Thursday, Nawaz reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan through Afghan-led and Afghan-owned process.
The premier said that his government will continue sincere efforts to promote good neighbourly relations with Afghanistan. He said Afghanistan was passing through a defining phase of its history and it was time for all Afghans to come forward and make concerted efforts for establishing peace and rebuilding their country. He hoped that the Afghan people would overcome the challenge with resilience and perseverance.
Nawaz said that they listened to each other’s reservations and discussed their solutions.
Afghan President Hamid Karzai said the summit discussed how to advance the cause of peace in Afghanistan and promote cooperative environment between Pakistan and Afghanistan. He said Afghanistan is passing through an important phase‚ as there would be complete transition of security to Afghan forces with the withdrawal of a great majority of US and NATO forces from his country. He said presidential and provincial council elections are also taking place in the country in April this year.
Turkish President Abdullah Gul said Afghanistan‚ Pakistan and Turkey were bound in strong bonds of Islamic brotherhood. He congratulated Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif for smooth democratic transition in Pakistan.
Separately, Nawaz told the Hürriyet Daily News in a written interview ahead of the Turkey-Pakistan-Afghanistan Trilateral Summit in Ankara, “We hope the NATO troops drawdown will be managed while preserving regional peace and security. Pakistan also wishes Afghanistan every success in drawing a path for sustainable peace.”
Furthermore, Nawaz appreciated Turkey’s continued support for promoting regional peace and stability. He expressed the confidence that both Turkey and Pakistan will continue to be factors of stability in Afghanistan and the region.
To a question about economic, trade or energy projects that are on the agenda of Turkey and Pakistan, the prime minister said Pakistan and Turkey enjoy a “special relationship” underpinned by a strong political, institutional and popular base.
He said during the recent visit of Prime Minister Erdogan to Pakistan in December 2013, the decision by the two sides to conclude a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) by the first quarter of 2014 and the operationalisation of the ECO Container Train service represent tangible manifestations of this shared vision.
To give greater focus to these efforts, he proposed that the two sides revive the trade target of $2 billion in the next couple of years.
As for bilateral cooperation in defence, Nawaz said that close brotherly relations between the two countries were amply reflected in the defence sector. Frequent exchange of high level visits and regular military collaborations reinforced these ties. The Mid-Life Upgrade project of our F-16 Aircraft by the Turkish Aerospace Industry (TAI) offers a tangible manifestation of this cooperation. The two countries could consider more joint ventures and research and development projects in the realm of defence, he added.
