Army chief meets Erdoğan, other top officials during historic visit to Türkiye

ISLAMABAD: Chief of the Army Staff Gen Syed Asim Munir reached Türkiye on an official visit aimed at enhancing the historic diplomatic and military ties between the two countries.

“The visit is part of the high-level mutual visits by both the brotherly countries to enhance the historic diplomatic and military ties. During the visit, COAS called on  President of the Republic of Türkiye Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, foreign and defence ministers, commander of Turkish general staff and commanders of Turkish land and air forces,” the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a press release on Wednesday.

“During the meetings, the COAS emphasized enhancing defence collaboration and training cooperation. The COAS appreciated the Turkish military’s efforts to maintain peace and stability in the region and also praised the standards of operational readiness of the Turkish armed forces. Turkish leaders acknowledged the efforts extended by the Pakistan army engineers who worked alongside NDMA teams during the unfortunate earthquake that hit Türkiye in February this year,” the ISPR said.

The COAS visited the Mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk in Ankara to pay homage to the great leader and laid a floral wreath in his honour,” read the press release.

The COAS later visited the Turkish land forces headquarters, where on his arrival he was given a warm welcome and was presented with the Guard of Honour. The COAS was also conferred with the legion of merit by the minister of defence and commander of Turkish land forces in recognition of his services towards promoting defence relations between two countries.

During the ceremony, the COAS highlighted that “Pakistan and Türkiye have strong brotherly relations which have always stood the test of time. Pakistan Army is always willing to extend full support to the Turkish land forces in multiple domains.

Pakistan has always stood with their Turkish brothers in times of calamity and moments of triumph and shall continue to strengthen the fraternal ties between the two nations.