ANKARA, Turkey: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has said that Pakistan and Turkey are determined to resolve the Yemen issue through peace talks as the prevailing situation in Yemen can plunge the entire region
into turmoil.
In his address at a joint news conference along with his Turkish counterpart Ahmet Davutoglu after a meeting in Ankara on Friday, Nawaz Sharif said that Pakistan is seriously concerned over the Yemen situation and all possible collective measures should be taken to address the crisis.
Sharif said that he has informed the Turkish counterpart about his visit to Saudi Arabia.
“Saudi Arabia is very close friend of Pakistan and we give great importance to the integrity and security of Saudi Arabia,” he said.
Pakistan, Turkey concerned over overthrow of Yemeni legitimate govt: Nawaz
Earlier, the Pakistani and Turkish prime ministers held talks at the Chankya Palace in Ankara and discussed bilateral relations as well as the situation in the Middle East with focus on the developments in Yemen.
During the meeting, Sharif said that Pakistan and Turkey are concerned over the overthrow of legitimate government in Yemen by use of force by non-state actors.
Nawaz Sharif said that Pakistan and Turkey together call upon the warring factions in Yemen to resolve the differences peacefully.
The prime minister said that both Pakistan and Turkey have close relations with Saudi Arabia and both have agreed to standby Riyadh in its hour of need.
“We have agreed to extend all possible support for the defence of Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” he said.
Sharif said that Pakistan and Turkey also maintain close and brotherly relations with other Islamic countries in the region and attach great importance to their security and territorial integrity. He said that Pakistan will stay engage with Saudi Arabia and other Muslim countries in the region.
On the occasion, the Turkish prime minister said that Pakistan and Turkey shared views on Yemen crisis. He said that Turkey has been maintaining contacts with Saudi Arabia on this issue.
The Turkish premier said that both Pakistan and Turkey are ready to play their role for bringing stability in the region.
In the talks, Nawaz Sharif was accompanied by the advisor on national security and foreign affairs Sartaj Aziz, the special assistant Tariq Fatemi and the foreign secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry.
