rki.news | Anadolu Agency

ANTALYA, April 17 — Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Shehbaz Sharif held talks on Friday covering bilateral relations, ongoing Iran ceasefire efforts, and broader regional developments.

The meeting took place on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, where both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation across key sectors, particularly energy, trade, and defense. Erdogan emphasized that Türkiye and Pakistan will continue taking practical steps to deepen their strategic partnership and expand economic collaboration.

Highlighting regional tensions, Erdogan said Türkiye has consistently supported peace since the start of the conflict involving Iran. He commended Pakistan’s diplomatic role in facilitating the ceasefire and expressed hope that joint efforts would help sustain and extend it until lasting stability is achieved.

The Turkish president underlined the need for a renewed regional security framework built on strong and cooperative foundations. He also noted ongoing coordination among foreign ministers from Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Pakistan during the forum.

Addressing wider Middle East concerns, Erdogan stressed the importance of reinforcing the Gaza ceasefire and advancing a two-state solution for Palestine. He reiterated Türkiye’s continued support for Pakistan’s peace, stability, and constructive engagement with its neighbors through dialogue, underscoring the importance of diplomacy in resolving regional disputes.