PM Shehbaz, Erdogan agree to strengthen economic, security support

New York:  Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday agreed to boost mutually beneficial cooperation in various areas.

According to statement issued by Pakistan’s Foreign officer, PM Shehbaz and Erdogan met each other in New York on the sidelines of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly.

“Both leaders discussed the bilateral matters and agreed to further strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation in trade, investment, defence and security domains,” the statement said.

“They assessed preparations for the upcoming 7th session of the Pakistan-Turkiye High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council (HLSCC) to be held in Islamabad soon,” it added.

According to the FO, the two leaders also called for an “immediate ceasefire in Gaza and an end of hostilities” as they discussed “regional and global developments, especially the ongoing genocide and the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza”.

The prime minister appreciated Turkiye’s “firm and consistent support for the oppressed people” of India-occupied Kashmir.

During the meeting, the FO said, President Erdogan “expressed his admiration for Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s economic policies, which have played a crucial role in stabilising Pakistan’s economy and commended the prime minister for his leadership and commitment to economic reform”.

President Erdogan “took the opportunity to extend his heartfelt birthday wishes” to PM Shehbaz, the statement added.