Joint Press Conference

After the plenary session of the 8th Turkey-Afghanistan-Pakistan Trilateral Summit, President Gül held a joint press conference along with President Karzai of Afghanistan and Prime Minister Sharif of Pakistan. The President, during his speech, pointed to the significance of the Summit process which has been continuing between the three countries since 2007.

President Abdullah Gül held a joint press conference along with President Hamid Karzai of Afghanistan and Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif of Pakistan at the Çankaya Presidential Palace.

8 SUMMITS HELD SINCE 2007

Noting that they launched the Summit meetings in 2007 so as to boost the cooperation between Turkey, Afghanistan and Pakistan and to facilitate the important institutions of the three countries to work together in better ways, President Gül said that Nawaz Sharif attended these meetings as Prime Minister, who was elected in the first democratic elections in Pakistan. These meetings, which are held as part of the Summit process, include political, security and economic aspects, stated the President, adding that all the relevant officials of the three governments including Ministers, Chiefs of General Staff and heads of the intelligence services meet as part of the summit. “We are conducting fruitful and intimate talks regarding the establishment of peace in Asia, giving momentum to the peace process in Afghanistan and reflection of the atmosphere of concerted works in Afghanistan and Pakistan in all institutions. Today, we have discussed very important issues including those pertinent to security as well by getting together with President Karzai, Prime Minister Sharif and Turkish Prime Minister Erdoğan. I would like to extend my thanks to President Karzai and Prime Minister Sharif for counting on Turkey in this regard.”

STRUCTURAL ISSUES CONCERNING AFGHANISTAN AND PAKISTAN

President Gül further continued as follows: “We have reviewed the economic activities carried out between the three countries and we have been informed by the Chairman of the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey about the joint forum established by the Union of Chambers of Turkey, Afghanistan and Pakistan for the purpose of boosting the economic activities between Afghanistan and Pakistan. Some concrete steps have been taken on this path in such areas as transportation as well. Afghanistan will hold presidential elections this year. The ISAF troops will withdraw from Afghanistan this year as well. Critical issues are awaiting President Karzai including bilateral military agreements and SOFA agreements. We have discussed all these issues in detail and reiterated our support for Afghanistan in terms of the establishment of peace and the continuation of the peace process in a stronger way.”

PRESIDENT KARZAI EVINCES HIS APPRECIATION FOR TURKEY’S SUPPORT

As for President Karzai, he also underscored the importance of the Turkey-Afghanistan-Pakistan Trilateral mechanism, saying: “As Afghanistan and Pakistan, we have made progress in many common areas. This has been made possible through Turkey’s support and facilitating role.” The Afghan President, expressing that they were warmly welcomed in Turkey, said they have exchanged views on many important issues ranging from security and defense to transportation and the establishment of peace.

President Karzai further noted that they have also discussed how they can establish peace in Afghanistan and Pakistan, adding that Turkey, which is a country that wholeheartedly loves both countries, wishes that Afghanistan and Pakistan can achieve progress.

PM SHARIF: TURKEY IS MY SECOND HOME

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif also made a speech at the joint news conference during which he described Turkey as his second home and he offered his thanks to Turkey for its support, expressing his pleasure at meeting with President Karzai as well. “Pakistan appreciates the steps Turkey has taken for the establishment of sustainable peace in the heart of Asia.”

The Pakistani Prime Minister further reiterated that his country lends its support for the peace process in Afghanistan, which he said is going through a historical period.