Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a bilateral meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday at the 5th Antalya Diplomacy Forum. The encounter was marked by warmth and cordiality, with Erdogan welcoming Shehbaz to Turkiye and expressing gratitude for his participation in the forum.
This meeting followed the prime minister’s arrival in Turkiye, the third stop on his tri-nation tour after visits to Saudi Arabia and Qatar. During his earlier trips to Riyadh and Doha, Shehbaz met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.
In a significant development, Erdogan commended PM Shehbaz’s efforts to promote peace and reiterated Turkiye’s commitment to supporting Pakistan’s diplomatic initiatives aimed at regional stability. Shehbaz reciprocated by thanking Erdogan for the warm invitation and Turkish hospitality extended to him and his delegation during their stay in Antalya. He also congratulated the Turkish president on the success of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, which he noted has emerged as a major global event.
The two leaders exchanged perspectives on recent regional developments, with a focus on the evolving situation in the Middle East. PM Shehbaz expressed appreciation for Erdogan’s steadfast support and shared updates on efforts to extend the ceasefire and resume peace talks, aiming for a comprehensive agreement. Both emphasized the critical need to seize the current opportunity to advance durable and lasting peace in the region.
Reaffirming the deep-rooted, historic, and brotherly relations between Pakistan and Turkiye, the leaders expressed satisfaction with the positive progress in bilateral ties. They agreed to hold the 8th High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council (HLSCC) meeting in Ankara later this year to further strengthen their partnership.
Economic collaboration was also a key topic, with both sides stressing the importance of accelerating ongoing projects and exploring new avenues to deepen economic engagement. The meeting concluded with a mutual commitment to reinforce the strategic alliance between Pakistan and Turkiye, grounded in their fraternal bonds and shared vision for peace and prosperity.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Minister for Information Ataullah Tarar, and other senior officials accompanied PM Shehbaz. On the Turkish side, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and senior officials were present.
In addition to the meeting with Erdogan, PM Shehbaz held several discussions with world leaders at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum. These included meetings with Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev, and Syria’s President Ahmed al-Sharaa. He also met with Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, as well as former Kosovo president Vjosa Osmani.
