27 March 2017•Update: 27 March 2017
ANKARA
The speakers of Turkey and Pakistan’s parliaments stressed on Monday the "close bonds" between what they described as two "friendly countries."
Ismail Kahraman met Monday his Pakistani counterpart Serdar Ayaz Sadiq in the Turkish capital Ankara.
Kahraman stressed that "both the states and the nations" of Pakistan and Turkey were friends.
"We have very strong ties and relations with Turkey," Sadiq said, pointing to their "religious bond as Muslims".
Recalling Turkey's previous support for their country, Sadiq said it was their responsibility to ensure that next generations do not forget the close ties between the two nations.
"Both countries are fighting against terrorism," he said. "With the help of Allah, we will succeed in that fight."
Sadiq said Turkey and Pakistan could play a key role in overcoming the difficulties that the Islamic world faced.
He also stressed Pakistan’s solidarity with the Turkish people in their fight against the 15 July 2016 coup attempt.
"I still cannot forget what I watched on TV that night,” he said. “The strong Turkish people were out on the streets fighting against tanks at the cost of their lives."
On July 15 last year, sections of the Turkish military attempted to overthrow the government. Pro-coup soldiers linked to Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO) opened fire on civilians in Ankara and Istanbul. Hundreds of people took to the streets to protest.
Turkey’s parliament building, as well as many other state institutions, were also hit by airstrikes.
The coup attempt, which was defeated in less than 24 hours, resulted in the deaths of 249 people and led to thousands of injuries.
Sadiq said he appreciated the Turkish nation's strength and determination to "protect democracy and to be governed under democracy".
Kahraman recalled how Sadiq phoned him three times on the coup night to learn about the developments.
"Why? Because we are brothers," the Turkish speaker said.
Reporting by Coskun Ergul and Ismail Cimen;Ayse Humeyra Atilgan
