06-16-2006, 04:41 AM
Friday, June 16, 2006
Pak-Turkish dialogue ponders global political scenario
By Zahid Hameed
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Turkey have long held exemplary relations in the political arena, however this harmonious level of interaction has yet to be found in trade and commerce. The following views were expressed at a programme titled âThe fourth Pakistan-Turkish bilateral dialogueâ, organised by the Institute of Strategic Studies in collaboration with the Turkish counterpart centre for strategic research on Thursday.
Ambassador Nezihi Ozkaya, Chairman for the Centre for Strategic Research, led the four-member Turkish delegation. Participants from both sides spoke on issues such as Pakistan-Turkey bilateral relations, Turkey and the EU, Pakistan and regional development in South Asia, the Iraq situation and its impact upon the region, as well as internal political developments in Pakistan.
The Turkish delegates, particularly the Turkish Ambassador to Pakistan Kemal Gur, were critical of what they said was the discriminatory attitude of Pakistani officials towards Turkish business interests. He noted that despite the fact that Turkish construction companies were recognised world over, there was not a single Turkish project undertaken in Pakistan.
Senator Tariq Azim Khan, the state minister for Information and Broadcasting, apprised the Turkish delegates about recent internal political developments in Pakistan. The director general of the Institute of Strategic Studies Dr Shireen Mazari spoke on âPakistan and regional developments in South Asia.â Her presentation touched upon the Pakistan-India relationship, Pakistan-Afghanistan situation and the ongoing war on terror and the Iran-US nuclear standoff. On the Pakistan-India peace process, she said that notwithstanding the calm atmosphere, little substantive and concrete moves had been made to resolve conflict issues between both countries. âThe reason for this is that while Pakistan seeks conflict resolution, Indiaâs preferred course of action is conflict management,â she said. Speaking about Pakistan-Afghanistan relations, she criticised Afghan officials who, instead of appreciating Pakistanâs help, had increased their anti-Pakistan rhetoric.
The Turkish speaker, who spoke on âTurkey and the EUâ said that EU membership was one of the most important foreign policy priorities for Turkey. He conceded that it would take a long time before Turkey-EU negotiations succeeded or failed. However, he said that whatever the case, the issue had proved beneficial for Turkey as it had introduced many reforms in order to strengthen its case for EU membership. Sher Afghan Khan, the Special Secretary Ministry of Foreign Affairs also attended the meeting.
Pak-Turkish dialogue ponders global political scenario
By Zahid Hameed
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Turkey have long held exemplary relations in the political arena, however this harmonious level of interaction has yet to be found in trade and commerce. The following views were expressed at a programme titled âThe fourth Pakistan-Turkish bilateral dialogueâ, organised by the Institute of Strategic Studies in collaboration with the Turkish counterpart centre for strategic research on Thursday.
Ambassador Nezihi Ozkaya, Chairman for the Centre for Strategic Research, led the four-member Turkish delegation. Participants from both sides spoke on issues such as Pakistan-Turkey bilateral relations, Turkey and the EU, Pakistan and regional development in South Asia, the Iraq situation and its impact upon the region, as well as internal political developments in Pakistan.
The Turkish delegates, particularly the Turkish Ambassador to Pakistan Kemal Gur, were critical of what they said was the discriminatory attitude of Pakistani officials towards Turkish business interests. He noted that despite the fact that Turkish construction companies were recognised world over, there was not a single Turkish project undertaken in Pakistan.
Senator Tariq Azim Khan, the state minister for Information and Broadcasting, apprised the Turkish delegates about recent internal political developments in Pakistan. The director general of the Institute of Strategic Studies Dr Shireen Mazari spoke on âPakistan and regional developments in South Asia.â Her presentation touched upon the Pakistan-India relationship, Pakistan-Afghanistan situation and the ongoing war on terror and the Iran-US nuclear standoff. On the Pakistan-India peace process, she said that notwithstanding the calm atmosphere, little substantive and concrete moves had been made to resolve conflict issues between both countries. âThe reason for this is that while Pakistan seeks conflict resolution, Indiaâs preferred course of action is conflict management,â she said. Speaking about Pakistan-Afghanistan relations, she criticised Afghan officials who, instead of appreciating Pakistanâs help, had increased their anti-Pakistan rhetoric.
The Turkish speaker, who spoke on âTurkey and the EUâ said that EU membership was one of the most important foreign policy priorities for Turkey. He conceded that it would take a long time before Turkey-EU negotiations succeeded or failed. However, he said that whatever the case, the issue had proved beneficial for Turkey as it had introduced many reforms in order to strengthen its case for EU membership. Sher Afghan Khan, the Special Secretary Ministry of Foreign Affairs also attended the meeting.