Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed the strong ties between the two countries on Saturday (July 4), Reuters reports.
Speaking at a press conference after talks in Istanbul, Erdogan thanked Sharif and Pakistan for their efforts in reaching an agreement between the United States and Iran, adding that Turkey is monitoring what he said were efforts by Israel to undermine the agreement.
Sharif thanked Erdogan for his support, adding that the economic partnership between the two countries in entering a new phase.
The "war-obsessed" Israeli government cannot be allowed to turn the region into bloodshed again, the Turkish president said after meeting with the Pakistani prime minister.
"We especially support and continue to support every step that will contribute to reducing tensions in our region and resolving issues through diplomacy," Recep Erdogan said.
Shahbaz Sharif also noted that "Pakistan and Turkey are two hearts of the same soul."
"Turkey has always stood by Pakistan in difficult times, and Pakistan, in turn, has also supported Turkey in difficult times," Sharif said.
The Pakistani prime minister visited Istanbul at the invitation of the Turkish president. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, National Intelligence Organization Chief Ibrahim Kalin, Head of the Presidential Communications Directorate Burhanettin Duran, as well as the President's Chief Security and Foreign Policy Advisor Akif Kilic participated in the talks.
