Erdogan calls for world unity to counter terrorism

ISLAMABAD: The President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan called the Muslim world Thursday to forge unity and take practical measures to counter the threat of terrorism. Erdogan made his remarks during his address to a joint session of Pakistan’s Parliament in Islamabad, where he is currently visiting alongside an accompanying official delegation.

Terrorist organizations such as the so-called Islamic State (IS) and AlQaeda are distorting the teachings and principles of the religion of Islam, which promotes peace and tolerance, and the image of Islamic world as well, he said.

The Turkish President also stressed the importance of fighting those terrorists anywhere in the world and bringing them to justice as soon as possible. Meanwhile, he pointed out the deep-rooted and historic ties between Pakistani and Turkish, adding that the two countries have always shared mutual joy and grief moments during various occasions. Erdogan also expressed his aspiration to expand multidimensional relations with Islamabad in various fields, including defense, culture, education, and health. The two countries have set the target of enhancing their bilateral trade ties to USD one billion, the Turkish President said, pointing out their signed 51 MoUs and agreements over the last few years, and stressed the importance of focusing on projects that create job opportunities for the people of both countries. Erdogan also stressed the need for boosting relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan that is vital for peace and security in the region. For his part, Pakistani National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq praised the visiting Turkish President, the Turkish people, who he described as “heroic people”, and the “courageous” members of the Turkish Parliament for their national efforts to protect and preserve their constitution and democracy.