Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD, :Pakistan-Türkiye High Level Strategic Cooperation Council in a joint declaration after its 7th session on Thursday pledged to further deepen, diversify, and institutionalize the strategic partnership between the two countries.
Following is the text of the joint declaration:
“Recalling deep-rooted religious, civilizational, cultural, linguistic and historical relations between Türkiye and Pakistan going back centuries;
Recognizing the completion of 77 years since the establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations between the two brotherly countries;
Acknowledging the time tested and exemplary brotherhood and mutual support of peoples and governments of the two countries in challenging times;
Reiterating that the historic fraternal ties between the peoples of the two brotherly countries are a sacred trust that must be nourished by all and transmitted to our future generations;
Stressing the spirit of ‘Two Souls, One Heart’ as the foundation of bilateral relations between Türkiye and Pakistan;
Appreciating the outcomes of the Pakistan-Türkiye Strategic Economic Framework (SEF) and its Action Plan;
Desirous of giving further impetus to the existing bilateral cooperation between the two countries in all spheres including, inter alia, defense, trade, investment, banking, finance, education, health, energy, culture, tourism, transport and communication, agriculture, water, science and technology;
Underscoring the centrality of the Pakistan-Türkiye High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council (HLSCC) as a mechanism to enhance bilateral cooperation between the two countries in a structured, concerted, coordinated, strategic and comprehensive manner;
Stressing the importance of regular periodic meetings of the HLSCC and its Joint Working Groups (JWGs) and following-up on their work;
Mindful of the contemporary challenges to peace, security and sustainable development, which have far-reaching impact on the region and beyond, and reaffirming strong determination on both sides to further deepen the strategic collaboration in this regard;
Condemning in the strongest possible terms all incidents of terrorist attacks in both the countries and expressing solidarity with their peoples;
Expressing deep concern at the rising tide of Islamophobia, and condemning in the strongest terms the terrorist and racist attacks against Muslims across the globe;
Reiterating their common resolve to fight the scourge of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations as well as the threat of extremism, and to support the relevant initiatives in this regard at regional and international platforms;
Noting with satisfaction the progress achieved so far and reiterating their resolve towards transforming this fraternal relationship into an ever-expanding, mutually beneficial, strategic partnership;
Recalling all the previous Joint Declarations signed between the two sides under the framework of HLSCC, and the decisions made therein;
Underlining our common resolve to take bilateral relations to ever-newer heights through mutual cooperation in all areas;
Having endorsed the outcomes of the meetings of the respective Working Groups of the HLSCC and expressing satisfaction at the progress achieved therein;
We, the co-chairs of the 7th HLSCC, held in Islamabad on 13 February 2025, have agreed as follows:
Institutional Framework and Political Cooperation Bilateral institutional mechanisms
The HLSCC is the main political forum that guides bilateral relations in all fields.
The Joint Working Groups of the HLSCC will be named as “Joint Standing Committees” (JSC) henceforth to better reflect their permanent nature.
Three new JSCs, namely “Security, Defence, and Intelligence JSC”, “Health JSC” and “Science and Technology JSC”, have been established under the HLSCC mechanism.
The Plan of Action (annex) prepared as a result of the work carried out by the SEF will continue to be followed-up through the JSCs.
Both sides will nominate a designated entity for regular follow-up and monitoring of the implementation of decisions taken by the HLSCC.
