ISTANBUL / Anadolu

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Saturday that Turkey will continue to show solidarity and work with 'brotherly countries,' foremost Pakistan, to establish security, stability and prosperity in the region.

He spoke at a joint press conference in Istanbul with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, following bilateral talks and delegation-level meetings.

President Erdogan expressed his pleasure in hosting Sharif and his delegation in Istanbul, and offered condolences over a bus accident in Pakistan's Balochistan province, conveying his sympathies to Sharif on behalf of himself and the Turkish people.

Turkey expresses appreciation for Pakistan's role in mediation between Washington and Tehran

He said his talks with Sharif covered bilateral, regional and international issues.

He affirmed Turkey's desire to deepen cooperation with Pakistan in energy, transportation, critical minerals and information technology.

On the economic front, Erdogan said Turkey's solidarity with Pakistan continues in all fields, including economy and trade.

He noted that his talks with the Pakistani delegation included discussing steps to develop trade and investment relations commensurate with the solidarity between Ankara and Islamabad.

Erdogan pointed to the two countries' reaffirmed goal of increasing bilateral trade volume to $5 billion.

He revealed that the trade ministries of both countries are working on a special economic zone planned for Turkish businessmen in Karachi.

Erdogan said talks are also ongoing to expand the scope of the preferential trade agreement between the two countries.

He indicated that Turkey encourages its investors to be more active in Pakistan.

Erdogan added: 'The existing cooperation between our countries in the defense industry is one of the most important elements of our economic relations, and it is developing day by day through new projects.'

He expressed his belief that the joint defense industry projects between Ankara and Islamabad, being implemented in stages, 'will increase Pakistan's strength.'

Regarding the US-Iran agreement, Erdogan said that thanks to the calm achieved through the Islamabad memorandum of understanding, the whole world breathed a sigh of relief.

He added that recent news in the international press shows the difficulties under which the negotiation process between Washington and Tehran took place.

President Erdogan expressed his appreciation to Sharif and the 'Pakistani brothers' for their great efforts in reaching a memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran.

He stressed that Turkey has always supported and continues to support any step that contributes to de-escalation in the region and solving problems through diplomacy.

In this context, Erdogan warned of 'Israeli provocations' aimed at undermining the memorandum, noting that Turkey closely follows Tel Aviv's attempts.

He continued: 'The Zionist massacre team, which ties its political survival to the continuation of conflicts in the region, does not leave Lebanon and Syria in particular in peace and comfort.'

Erdogan noted that 'Israeli occupation forces' continue their illegal and inhumane attacks on the 'oppressed' in the Gaza Strip.

He called for not allowing the current Israeli government, 'addicted to wars,' to drown our region again in the smell of gunpowder and blood.

He affirmed that Turkey wants a climate where all people in the region live in security and peace, regardless of their religious beliefs.

Erdogan stressed that Turkey will spare no effort to establish such a climate.

He went on to say: 'No solution that does not derive its strength from the will and contribution of the region's countries can be lasting.'

Erdogan added: 'We will continue to work in solidarity with brotherly countries, foremost Pakistan, to enhance peace, stability and prosperity in our region.'