Pakistan–Turkey relations

Pakistani–Turkish relations are foreign relations between the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and the Republic of Turkey. These relations have been traditionally strong. Both nations maintain extensive cultural, commercial, strategic and military cooperation.cite web |url=http://www.csmonitor.com/2002/0124/p01s04-wosc.html |title=A Turkish path for Pakistan |accessdate=2008-06-03 |publisher=Christian Science Monitor |date=2002-1-24] Both Turkey and Pakistan are Muslim-majority states and share extensive cultural and geopolitical links. Pakistan's founder Muhammad Ali Jinnah and the former President of Pakistan Pervez Musharaff had expressed a desire to develop Pakistan on the Turkish model of modernism and secularism.cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/2994458.stm |title=Turkey and Pakistan boost ties |accessdate=2008-06-03 |publisher=BBC News |date=2003-6-16]

Development of bilateral relations

Turkey established diplomatic relations soon after the independence of Pakistan in 1947 and bilateral relations became increasingly close important owing to cultural, religious and geopolitical links between the two countries.cite web |url=http://www.sam.gov.tr/perceptions/Volume5/September-November2000/VolumeVN3ISTHIAQAHMAD.pdf |title=Turkey and Pakistan: Bridging the Growing Divergence |format=PDF |accessdate=2008-06-03 |publisher=Center for Strategic Research] Pakistan's founder Muhammad Ali Jinnah expressed admiration for Turkey's founding leader Kemal Ataturk and expressed a desire to develop Pakistan on the Turkish model of modernism and secularism. Similar ideas were expressed by the formerPresident of Pakistan Pervez Musharraf, who grew up in Turkey and had received extensive military training there. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/2994458.stm Turkey and Pakistan boost ties] ] cite web |url=http://www.atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/FA22Df06.html |title=Turkey and Pakistan join forces |accessdate=2008-06-03 |publisher=Center for Strategic Research] Jinnah is honoured as a great leader in Turkey, and a major road of the Turkish capital Ankara, the Cinnah Caddesi is named after him.The Turkish people also remember the donations they received which were collected by the Muslim league (later founders of Pakistan). These were used in the war of independence, which led to an independent, secular Turkish Republic. The Turkish people will never forget that brotherly gesture.

Trade

Turkey and Pakistan are founding members of the Economic Cooperation Organisation and part of the Developing 8 Countries (D-8) organisation. Both nations have worked to negotiate a preferential trading agreement, aiming to considerably increase trade and investments, especially in transport, telecommunications, manufacturing, tourism and other industries.cite web |url=http://www.bilaterals.org/article.php3?id_article=1677 |title=Turkey to sign PTA with Pakistan |accessdate=2008-06-03 |publisher=Daily Times, Pakistan |date=2005-4-16] Both governments have sought to increase the volume of bilateral trade from $690 million to more than $1 billion by 2010.cite web |url=http://www.turkishdailynews.com.tr/article.php?enewsid=102299 |title=Pakistan, Turkey discuss defence co-production |accessdate=2008-06-03 |publisher=Turkish Daily News] cite web |url=http://www.atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/FA22Df06.html |title=Turkey and Pakistan join forces |accessdate=2008-06-03 |publisher=Center for Strategic Research] Pakistani exports include rice, sesame seeds, leather, textiles, fabrics, sports goods, medical equipment. Turkey's exports to Pakistan include wheat, chickpeas, lentils, diesel, chemicals, transport vehicles, machinery and energy products.cite web |url=http://www.fpcci.com.pk/tradep&turk.asp |title=Trade between Pakistan & Turkey |accessdate=2008-06-03 |publisher=Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry] Turkish private corporations have also invested significantly in industrial and construction projects developing highways, pipelines and canals.cite web |url=http://www.sam.gov.tr/perceptions/Volume5/September-November2000/VolumeVN3ISTHIAQAHMAD.pdf |title=Turkey and Pakistan: Bridging the Growing Divergence |format=PDF |accessdate=2008-06-03 |publisher=Center for Strategic Research]

Strategic ties

Pakistan and Turkey have maintained long-standing military ties, with Turkey supplying arms, military equipment and training Pakistani officers. On April 2, 1954, Pakistan and Turkey signed a treaty of friendship and cooperation. Both countries, valued as important states in Western and Central Asia, joined the U.S.-led Central Treaty Organization (CENTO) aimed to bolster military and strategic cooperation and counter the spread of communism and Soviet influence in the region.cite book |author=Anwar Hussain Syed |title=China & Pakistan: Diplomacy of an Entente Cordiale |accessdate=2008-06-03 |pages=34|publisher=University of Massachusetts Press |year=1974 |isbn=087023160X] Turkey has openly supported Pakistan's stance on the Kashmir conflict and maintained political and military support during its wars with India.cite book |author=Anwar Hussain Syed |title=China & Pakistan: Diplomacy of an Entente Cordiale |accessdate=2008-06-03 |pages=109|publisher=University of Massachusetts Press |year=1974 |isbn=087023160X] Pakistan has reciprocated by expressing support for Turkey's policy on Northern Cyprus.cite web |url=http://www.dawn.com/2005/06/02/top1.htm |title=Pakistan, Turkey to cooperate in defence industry |accessdate=2008-06-03 |publisher=Center for Strategic Research] Both nations have sought to expand cooperation to fight terrorism. Both countries are also members of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference.

References