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President Recep Tayyip Erdogan emphasized the critical need to maintain a ceasefire between Pakistan and Afghanistan during talks with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday, as Ankara positions itself as a mediator in the volatile relationship between the two neighbors.
Meeting on the sidelines of Azerbaijan's Victory Day celebrations, Erdogan told Sharif that Türkiye is "closely following the terrorist attacks in Pakistan and the tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan," according to a statement from Türkiye's Communications Directorate.
President Erdogan expressed optimism that ongoing discussions facilitated by Ankara would produce "lasting stability" between the two countries, pledging continued Turkish involvement in the diplomatic process.
The talks come amid heightened security concerns in the region, with Pakistan facing persistent militant attacks that Islamabad has at times linked to groups operating from Afghan territory. Türkiye has emerged as a key player attempting to bridge differences between Pakistan and Afghanistan's Taliban government.
Beyond regional security, Erdogan highlighted efforts to deepen economic and defense ties between Türkiye and Pakistan. He said both nations are working to enhance cooperation across "various fields, particularly trade, energy, and the defense industry."
Erdogan also drew parallels to another troubled region, stressing "the importance of preserving the ceasefire in Gaza" and calling for continued monitoring of the situation through United Nations channels.
Both leaders attended Azerbaijan's Victory Day ceremony earlier Saturday, which marked the fifth anniversary of Azerbaijan's military victory in the Second Karabakh War. They watched a military parade commemorating the occasion in the Azerbaijani capital.
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