Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani Wednesday emphasized the importance of upgrading rail and road links between Pakistan and Turkey and the running of fast speed cargo trains between Islamabad and Istanbul on regular basis.
Talking to Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, he hoped that both countries will engage with Iran for the early upgrading of rail and road links to fast track this project, the PM's office said.
He also said that both countries should strive through concerted efforts to raise the level of present volume of trade to two billion by 2012 as had already been agreed.
The prime minister emphasized that the Turkish government should encourage its private sector to collaborate even more closely with their Pakistani counterparts in key sectors like construction, infrastructure, engineering, energy, agriculture, telecommunications, mining and textile etc.
He underlined the need for opening Turkish Banks' branches in Pakistan to facilitate the strengthening of the present trade and investment ties.
While discussing the measures for further strengthening of time-tested and exceptionally fraternal ties between the two countries, the Turkish Prime Minister invited his Pakistani counterpart to visit Ankara next month to participate in the Second High Level Cooperation Council Meeting with him to steer their unique partnership for expanded cooperation in multifaceted fields.
He hoped that international community will realize the magnitude of economic difficulties faced by Pakistan to meet this challenge of the flood disaster.
He reassured the Prime Minister that Turkey on its part would wholeheartedly support and participate in the rehabilitation and long term reconstruction phase particularly in construction of houses, road, rail and power infrastructure.
While dilating on the fraternal cordial ties between the two countries rooted in centuries old bound of history, culture and religion, the Prime Minister said that his government was determined to build upon on the existing excellent relations with Turkey on the geo-economic advantages and take them to unprecedented level.
The Prime Minister briefed his Turkish counterpart on the efforts being undertaken by the government in the rehabilitation and recovery phase in the wake of floods, the statement said.
The Prime Minister stated that the economic impact of the floods is colossal. 'Though the damage need and assessment report of the World Bank and the ADB is likely to be issued during this week, the cost of rehabilitation and long term reconstruction is expected to run into tens of billions of dollars,' he assessed.
He informed the Turkish Prime Minister that his government had devised a comprehensive strategy to carry on the residual relief activities in the flood affected areas and concurrently moved into early recovery phase.
The Prime Minister said Pakistan would be sharing its national strategy for rehabilitation and reconstruction with the development partners in the forthcoming meeting of Pakistan Development Forum scheduled in the next month.
He said that Pakistan would count on Turkey’s continued support to its national efforts to rebuild lives and properties of its people and was greatly encouraged by Turkey’s offer for getting involved in reconstruction of infrastructure in Pakistan.
Mr Gilani conveyed the prompt profound gratitude of his government to Prime Minister Erdogan over the very generous and substantial funds raised to the tune of US $ 200 million out of which around $ 126 million were donated by the Turkish business community and ordinary people into his fund for Pakistan’s flood affectees.
The Prime Minister noted with a profound sense of gratefulness that Madam Erdogan, soon after her visit to Pakistan, not only mobilized the international community by writing personal letters to the spouses of the other heads of states and governments but also donated her personal jewellery towards the relief efforts of Pakistan’s flood victims. - PNA
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