Imran Khan
Pakistan’s Prime Minister-in-waiting Imran Khan on Tuesday expressed support for Turkey amid its financial difficulties.
“On behalf of the people of Pakistan myself, I want to let President Erdogan the people of Turkey know we are praying for their success in dealing with the severe economic challenges confronting them, as they have always succeeded against adversities in their glorious history,” Khan wrote on Twitter.
His remarks came several days after U.S. President Donald Trump ramped up his attack on Turkey by increasing U.S. tariffs on Turkish aluminum and steel imports to 20 percent and 50 percent, respectively.
On Monday, in a statement, Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry also opposed the “unilateral sanctions imposed by the U.S. on Turkey over the detention of an American pastor under terrorism charges.
Turkey and the U.S. are currently experiencing rocky relations following Washington’s imposition of sanctions on Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu and Justice Minister Abdulhamit Gul for not releasing American Pastor Andrew Brunson, who faces terrorism charges in Turkey.
“Pakistan, in principle, is opposed to imposition of unilateral sanctions against any country. The solution to any and all issues should lie in dialogue, mutual understanding and goodwill,” the statement by Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry said.
It also lauded Turkey’s role towards regional and international peace and stability.
“Pakistan acknowledges and greatly appreciates Turkey’s invaluable role towards regional and international peace and stability. It is also a vital member and engine of the global economy”, the statement further said.
Expressing its solidarity, Islamabad reiterated its strong support for the government and the people of Turkey.
“The people and the government of Pakistan reiterate their strong support for the government and the people of Turkey in their quest for peace and prosperity, and as always, will continue to stand by them towards the achievement of these shared goals,” the statement added.
Azerbaijan is "completely" confident about the future of Turkey's economy, the country’s Foreign Ministry said on Monday.In a statement, the ministry said: “Our country will continue to invest capital and take an active part in Turkey's economy."It noted that the large projects carried out in Turkey in recent years will provide additional contributions to economy and security of the country and the region."Azerbaijan, as always, will continue to support Turkish people and the state in all areas," it added.Turkey and the U.S. are currently experiencing rocky relations after Washington imposed sanctions on Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu and Justice Minister Abdulhamit Gul for not releasing American Pastor Andrew Brunson, who faces terrorism-related charges in Turkey.U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday ramped up his attack on Turkey by doubling U.S. tariffs on Turkish aluminum and steel imports to 20 percent and 50 percent, respectively.Pakistan opposes ‘unilateral sanctions’ by US on TurkeyPutin yet to order retaliatory sanctions against United StatesIran's Khamenei says mismanagement hurts economy more than US sanctionsHow Turkey should respond to US’s economic war
Azerbaijan voices confidence in Turkey's economy
Four Turkish companies have been named in the most prestigious defense industry list, Defense News Top 100.While Aselsan, Tusaş and Roketsan hold their places on the list, STM joined the list on Monday for the first time.In the U.S.-based magazine Defense News' annual list on company sales, Aselsan was ranked 55th, Tusas 64th, Roketsan 96th and STM 97th.Turkey's leading defense company Aselsan's 2017 income was $1.4 billion, up from $1.2 billion in the previous year. It is active in military and civil telecommunications, radar, electronic warfare, defense, weapons, command control and navigation systems.Tusas earned $1.1 billion in 2017 by manufacturing unmanned air vehicles (Anka), helicopters (Atak) and planes (Hurkus).Missile producer Roketsan and another defense industry company STM's incomes were $376 million and $369 million in 2017.The U.S.-based Lockheed Martin was ranked first in the list with nearly $48 billion; it was followed by the U.S.-based Raytheon Company ($23.6 billion) and the U.K.-based BAE Systems ($21.7 billion).Video: Turkey-produced ASELSAN artillery system breaks record
Four Turkish firms named among top 100 defense companies
Extensive security measures have been taken around the home of Pastor Andrew Craig Brunson in Turkey’s Izmir, who was moved to house arrest after 600 days in jail and has been a key factor in the strained relations between the U.S. and Turkey.'US sanctions instigate economic war'The house of Pastor Brunson and his street are being closely watched 24/7 by the Izmir Police Department, which is tracking his every move, stopping anyone who arouses suspicion and asking for their identity, while motorized police officers stand guard on both ends of the street.The court decided to allow Brunson to live at his home address in Izmir, but barred him from "abandonment of residence" and also imposed a ban on him leaving the country at the end of July after being detained in the Aegean province of Izmir in December 2016.Turkey-US relations: From visionary to myopicHe was charged with spying for the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETÖ), the group behind the defeated July 2016 coup attempt and became the main reason of conflict between Turkey and the U.S.Washington then imposed sanctions on Turkish Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu and Justice Minister Abdulhamit Gül for not releasing the pastor.Erdoğan: Turkey’s economic dynamics are solidU.S. President Donald Trump on Friday ramped up his attack on Turkey by doubling U.S. tariffs on Turkish aluminum and steel imports to 20 percent and 50 percent, respectively.President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Sunday criticized the U.S., saying that Turkey will say “goodbye” to those who prefer terrorists as their strategic partner.
Turkey takes high level security measures around US pastor Brunson’s house