Pakistan, Turkey discuss UN-related issues in Islamabad

Pakistan and Turkey conducted a second round of consultations on matters pertaining to the United Nations in Islamabad on Jan. 17, discussing issues ranging from U.N. Security Council reforms to human rights, humanitarian issues, refugees and counter-terrorism, according to officials.

The Turkish delegation was led by Ambassador Hasan Ulusoy, the director general of the Directorate General for Multilateral Political Affairs at the Turkish Foreign Ministry. 

The Pakistani side was led by Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, director general regarding the U.N. at the country's Foreign Ministry, said a statement issued from the Pakistani Foreign Ministry. 

"The two sides exchanged views on a wide range of issues including U.N. Security Council reform, human rights and humanitarian issues, refugees, cooperation in the context of ECOSOC, sustainable development goals, political and peace and security issues, counter-terrorism, combating Islamophobia and religious discrimination and candidatures in international organizations," the statement said. 

Both sides hailed the excellent bilateral relations between the two countries and a similarity of views, noting that they were manifest in a common understanding, mutual support and close collaboration on a host of issues at the U.N. and other multilateral fora. They also reiterated their common desire and commitment to further strengthen their cooperation in the years ahead. 

Ankara and Islamabad also reaffirmed their faith in the U.N. and multilateralism as the best mechanisms for collectively addressing the challenges faced by the international community.    
  
The visiting delegation also met with Pakistani Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry. The foreign secretary said the...

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