Shehbaz, Erdogan discuss regional peace, boost strategic ties at Antalya forum

ANTALYA: Shehbaz Sharif held a bilateral meeting with Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, where both leaders discussed regional developments and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral ties.

According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, President Erdogan welcomed the premier and appreciated his participation in the forum, while praising Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts aimed at promoting peace in the region. He reiterated Turkiye’s support for Islamabad’s mediation initiatives.

The meeting came during the third leg of the prime minister’s three-nation tour, following visits to Saudi Arabia and Qatar, where he held talks with regional leadership.

During the discussion, Shehbaz thanked Erdogan for the warm hospitality and congratulated him on the successful hosting of the forum, describing it as a significant global platform. He also briefed the Turkish president on Pakistan’s efforts to sustain the ceasefire and resume dialogue in the Middle East.

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Both leaders emphasised the need to utilise the current window of opportunity to achieve a durable and lasting peace, particularly in light of evolving regional dynamics.

Reaffirming the deep-rooted and brotherly ties between Pakistan and Turkiye, the two sides expressed satisfaction over the positive trajectory of bilateral relations and agreed to convene the 8th High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council meeting in Ankara later this year.

They also stressed the importance of accelerating ongoing initiatives and exploring new avenues to enhance economic cooperation between the two countries.

The meeting was attended by Ishaq Dar and Attaullah Tarar, along with senior officials, while Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan was also present.

On the sidelines of the forum, the prime minister held separate meetings with several world leaders, including Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Ilham Aliyev, and Ahmed al-Sharaa, as part of Pakistan’s broader diplomatic outreach.