PM leaves for home after four-day Turkey visit

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PakistanToday
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  • Abbasi lauds Turkey’s achievements in defence production

ISTANBUL: Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi left Sunday for home at the conclusion of his four-day visit to Turkey.

The prime minister, who led Pakistan’s delegation at the 9th D-8 Summit hosted by Turkey in Istanbul, was seen off the Ataturk international airport by senior Turkish officials.

PM Abbasi, while answering a question about Pakistan’s plan of purchasing T-129 helicopters, said the Pakistan Army is evaluating the helicopter, and we are negotiating the contract and terms. The prime minister appreciated the Turkish aircraft and termed it impressive and good machine besides lauding the Turkish aviation industry, as well as Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, for achievements in the defence production.

The prime minister was also briefed by the Turkish aviation officials about the specifications and technical parameters of the combat chopper. President and chief executive officer of Turkish Aerospace Industries, Temel Kotil said that T-129 was a light weight attack helicopter equipped with missiles and guns.

Besides attending the D-8 Summit, Prime Minister Abbasi held bilateral meetings with the Turkish prime minister and the Guinea and Nigeria presidents. During the meeting with Turkey Prime Minister Binali Yildirim, both prime ministers agreed to bolster trade ties. Besides, Yildrim had praised Pakistan’s cooperation in the fight against the Fethullah Terror Organisation (FETO) following last year’s defeated coup.

Describing ties between two countries as “excellent,” Yildirim had said: “We know that Prime Minister Abbasi and his delegation consider Turkey their second home—as we see Pakistan as our second home.”

Abbasi had reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to fighting against terror, saying: “We stand by Turkey to fight terror and end it.” “We believe that our people are friends, and at the same time Turkey’s friend is our friend, and Turkey’s enemy is also Pakistan’s,” he added.

Later, the prime minister had met presidents of Guinea and Nigeria and had discussed ways and means to further strengthen their bilateral relations.

 

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