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The bilateral relations between the Republic of Turkey and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan have been traditionally strong. Both nations maintain extensive cultural, commercial, strategic and military cooperation.[1] Both Turkey and Pakistan are Muslim-majority states and share extensive cultural and geopolitical links. Pakistan's founder Muhammad Ali Jinnah and the current President of Pakistan Pervez Musharaff have expressed a desire to develop Pakistan on the Turkish model of modernism and secularism.[2][1]
[edit] Development of bilateral relations
Turkey established diplomatic relations soon after the independence of Pakistan in 1947 and bilateral relations became increasingly close important owing to cultural, religious and geopolitical links between the two countries.[3] Pakistan's founder Muhammad Ali Jinnah expressed admiration for Turkey's founding leader Kemal Ataturk and expressed a desire to develop Pakistan on the Turkish model of modernism and secularism.[1] Similar ideas were expressed by the current President of Pakistan, Gen. Pervez Musharraf, who grew up in Turkey and received extensive military training there.[2][1][4] Jinnah is honoured as a great leader in Turkey, and a major road of the Turkish capital Ankara, the Cinnah Caddesi is named after him.
Turkey and Pakistan are founding members of the Economic Cooperation Organisation and part of the Developing 8 Countries (D-8) organisation. Both nations have worked to negotiate a preferential trading agreement, aiming to considerably increase trade and investments, especially in transport, telecommunications, manufacturing, tourism and other industries.[5] Both governments have sought to increase the volume of bilateral trade from $690 million to more than $1 billion by 2010.[6][4] Pakistani exports include rice, sesame seeds, leather, textiles, fabrics, sports goods, medical equipment. Turkey's exports to Pakistan include wheat, chickpeas, lentils, diesel, chemicals, transport vehicles, machinery and energy products.[7] Turkish private corporations have also invested significantly in industrial and construction projects developing highways, pipelines and canals.[8]
[edit] Strategic ties
Pakistan and Turkey have maintained long-standing military ties, with Turkey supplying arms, military equipment and training Pakistani officers.[4] On April 2, 1954, Pakistan and Turkey signed a treaty of friendship and cooperation. Both countries, valued as important states in Western and Central Asia, joined the U.S.-led Central Treaty Organization (CENTO) aimed to bolster military and strategic cooperation and counter the spread of communism and Soviet influence in the region. [9] Turkey has openly supported Pakistan's stance on the Kashmir conflict and maintained political and military support during its wars with India. [10][9] Pakistan has reciprocated by expressing support for Turkey's policy on Northern Cyprus.[6][11] Both nations have sought to expand cooperation to fight terrorism.[4][6] Both countries are also members of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference.
[edit] References
