UPDATE 2 - Turkish president, Pakistani premier discuss bilateral ties, global issues

UPDATES WITH TURKISH PRESIDENT’S RETURN TO TÜRKİYE; REVISES HEADLINE, DECK; EDITS THROUGH

By Esra Tekin and Merve Berker

ISTANBUL/ Türkiye's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Friday discussed bilateral relations, regional and global issues on the margins of the International Peace and Trust Forum in Turkmenistan’s capital Ashgabat.

He said Ankara is working on enhancing "good relations" with Islamabad, and that it will make efforts to expand cooperation in various fields, such as energy, trade, and investment, according to the Turkish Communications Directorate.

Expressing his appreciation for the extension of the ceasefire between Pakistan and Afghanistan, Erdogan noted Ankara's readiness to contribute to the mechanism established to maintain stability.

He also held a meeting with his Turkmen counterpart Serdar Berdimuhamedov.

The two leaders discussed bilateral relations, as well as global and regional issues.

Erdogan said that Ankara is aiming to advance bilateral cooperation in every field, especially trade, energy, defense industry, and culture.

Erdogan also congratulated Berdimuhamedov on the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan's permanent neutrality status.

Erdogan returned to Türkiye on Friday after completing his visit to Turkmenistan.

The International Peace and Trust Forum in Ashgabat is held to mark the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s status of permanent neutrality and the UN General Assembly's designation of 2025 as International Year of Peace and Trust.