Turkey Respects Pakistan’s Decision On NATO Supply Line: Erdogan

Islamabad, May 23, IRNA – Turkish Prime Minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, said on Tuesday that his country respects Pakistan's decision on the NATO supply line and defended Islamabad's demand for an apology from the United States over the killing of 24 Pakistani soldiers. Pakistan had closed supply line for NATO forces in Afghanistan to protest against the U.S. fighter jets bombed two Pakistani posts in November. 'It is up-to Pakistan to take any decision on NATO supply routes. However, as a member of the NATO, Turkey believes that such issues should be resolved through mutual dialogue,' Erdogan told a joint press conference along with his Pakistani counterpart, Yusuf Raza Gilani. The Turkish Prime Minister said opening of the NATO supply routes is the discretion of Pakistan. To a question about NATO’s presence in Afghanistan, he said Turkey would not leave Afghanistan alone unless Afghans asked Turkish troops to quit the country. He said NATO has already announced to withdraw troops from Afghanistan by the end of 2014. “But I can only tell you my country’s perspective. We will withdraw troops from Afghanistan only after all other troops have been withdrawn.” He reiterated support for Afghanistan and said, “We won’t leave our brothers alone unless they want us to.” He added that France has also announced withdrawing troops, but it said that “If we entered the agreement together, we should terminate it together too”. Pakistani Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani said that his country will back and facilitate an Afghan-owned and Afghan-led peace and reconciliation process, urging the world to recognize Pakistan’s sacrifices. He said the final decision to open the Ground Lines of Communication for NATO supplies would be made in line with the recommendations of the parliamentary committee. He however said that 'Pakistan wishes to move along with the world.' 'We wish to make it clear that Pakistan is the part of solution and not the problem for Afghanistan.' He was also appreciative of the support extended by Turkey's President Abdullah Gul to Pakistan, at the May 20 NATO Summit at Chicago, that was attended by President Asif Ali Zardari. 'The world must have recognition of the services rendered by Pakistan in its fight against terrorism,' Gilani said. He said a decision based on the recommendations of the parliamentary committee would not only be long lasting, but also have the endorsement of the people of Pakistan. Earlier both leaders co-chaired a meeting of High-Level Cooperation Council (HLCC) and agreed to boost bilateral relations in all sectors, particularly security, energy, communication, trade and culture. It was agreed that cooperation between the security agencies of Pakistan and Turkey would be broadened in the fields of counter-terrorism and drug trafficking, especially in the areas of capacity building and exchange of experience. It was also agreed that the two countries would intensify their ongoing cooperation while defense-related industries would focus on joint defense production and related research and development activities. On energy cooperation, it was decided that power generation would be developed through strengthening of information sharing on energy projects and facilitation of private sector involvement./end