- Pakistan, Turkey agree to stand by Saudi Arabia in hour of need, work together for peaceful solution to Yemen crisis
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his Turkish counterpart Ahmet Davutoglu have said that Saudi Arabia is a close friend of Pakistan and Turkey and they have agreed to standby the Kingdom in its hour of need.
“We have agreed to extend all possible support for the defence of Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” PM Sharif said while addressing a joint news conference after talks with his Turkish counterpart on Friday.
The premier said they have close relations with other countries in the region and Pakistan would stay engaged with the Saudi leadership and other Muslim countries in the region.
Sharif said the security situation in the Middle East has been deteriorating and they are concerned at the overthrowing of legitimate government in Yemen by use of force by non-state actors. He said the situation is “grave and might endanger the security of the Ummah and region”.
The prime minister said he spoke with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on March 31 and met him Friday. He said they both agreed that the current crisis in Yemen can plunge the region into turmoil and they had decided to work together in their common resolve to promote a peaceful resolution of the current crisis in Yemen.
Sharif said that Pakistan and Turkey together call upon the warring factions in Yemen to resolve the differences peacefully.
Moreover, PM Sharif thanked the Turkish prime minister for accepting his visit at a very short notice, which he said reflects the close ties that the two countries enjoy. He said exchange of visits is essential for both Pakistan and Turkey to have a joint policy on international issues.
On this occasion, the Turkish prime minister said Pakistan and Turkey shared views on Yemen crisis. He said Turkey has been maintaining contacts with Saudi Arabia on this issue. He said both Pakistan and Turkey are ready to play their role for bringing stability in the region.
While speaking about bilateral relations, Ahmet Davutoglu said “pain of Pakistan is pain of Turkey and the happiness of Pakistan is our happiness”. He said similar feelings are among the Pakistani people about their Turkish brothers.
Earlier, the prime minister arrived in Ankara on a brief visit to discuss the development situation in Yemen and its dangers for the security of the region with close ally Turkey. Pakistani delegation at the talks included Advisor to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz, Special Assistant Tariq Fatemi and Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry. They were received by the Turkish minister for environment and urban planning at the airport.