Turkey to cooperate with Pakistan to counter terrorism

Although economic relations between the two countries are not yet promising, joint efforts are under way to boost trade. The two countries plan to increase their trade volume to $2 billion by 2012. Observers believe Turkey and Pakistan have the potential to do just that.

Turkish State Minister Mehmet Aydın attended the 13th Turkey-Pakistan Joint Economic Council on Thursday to seek ways to cooperate with Pakistan. Speaking to the media, he said the ground to boost trade relations between the two countries is suitable and that Turkey and Pakistan plan to reach $2 billion in trade volume by 2012, the Anatolia news agency quoted him as saying. “Close cultural and social relations between the two countries will also help increase trade between Turkey and Pakistan,” Aydın added.

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is also expected to visit Pakistan on Oct. 25-26. Trade volume between Turkey and Pakistan currently stands at $740 million. While Turkey's current imports from Pakistan are $585 million, its exports to Pakistan are worth $155 million.

Speaking to Sunday's Zaman, Fikret Ertan, an independent analyst of Eurasian affairs, said Turkey and Pakistan are close and friendly countries that have always enjoyed good relations. “There have never been any conflicting issues between the two administrations. We have always tried to do our best to support Pakistan in every respect,” Ertan said. Drawing a similar picture of Pakistani-Turkish relations, Avni Özgürel, a columnist with the Radikal daily, also emphasized the good relations between the two countries. “These two countries were close throughout history and still enjoy high-level relations today,” Özgürel, said.

Noting that the first country to recognize Pakistan when it declared its independence was Turkey, Özgürel said Turkey and Pakistan have always supported each other at every international meeting. “Pakistan is as close to us as a Turkic country. Since its independence, Pakistan has had very serious problems both in domestic politics and in international relations. It has experienced bitter relations with neighbors such as Iran and Afghanistan, both of which were crucial players in instigating instability in the country. Turkey is an important country helping Pakistan tackle all these problems,” Özgürel noted.

Meanwhile, Chief of General Staff Gen. İlker Başbuğ, also in Pakistan, visited the cities of Mingora and Malakand in the Swat Valley on Thursday during his two-day visit to the country. Başbuğ is the first top military officer to visit the Swat Valley after the region was cleared of Taliban forces. The Swat Valley, 70 kilometers from the capital of Islamabad, was previously controlled by Taliban militants. The country's administration was able to remove the Taliban from the region after a successful operation and constant air bombing by Pakistani military forces.

The primary challenge Pakistan faces now is its operation in South Waziristan, a territory in which Taliban militants have taken refuge. Due to harsh geographic conditions, Pakistan is holding back from conducting an operation in South Waziristan and has decided to wait four months. During Gen. Başbuğ's visit to the US in June of this year, he said Turkey is ready to share its experience in counterterrorism and support the Pakistani army with military equipment.

“Although I rule out the possibility of sending Turkish troops as part of the operation, I believe Turkey can help supply the Pakistani army with military equipment,” Ertan said while evaluating the military cooperation between Turkey and Pakistan. Noting that US President Barack Obama has approved a bill adopted on Thursday to provide $7.5 billion in aid to Pakistan earmarked for economic and social programs aiming to prevent the spread of Taliban militants, Ertan said Pakistan is very experienced in military affairs and has gradually learned how to counter insurgency. “I think it is impossible for Pakistan to not be successful in its operations,” Ertan concluded.