CDF Munir meets Erdogan, Turkish military leadership during two-day official visit to Turkiye

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Army Chief and Chief of Defense Forces, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, held high-level meetings with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the country's top military leadership on Tuesday during his two-day official visit to Turkiye.

According to a press release issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), CDF Munir's visit is aimed at further strengthening the longstanding strategic and defense ties between Pakistan and Turkiye.

The field marshal received a warm welcome from the Turkish leadership upon landing in Turkiye on Monday before holding separate meetings with President Erdogan and Turkish Minister of National Defense Yaşar Güler, “to discuss matters of mutual interest and regional security,” the statement said.

“These high level deliberations underscored the shared vision of both nations to foster a more robust strategic partnership in an evolving geopolitical environment,” it added. 

At the Turkish General Staff headquarters, CDF Munir was presented with a guard of honor before holding talks with Chief of the Turkish General Staff General Selçuk Bayraktaroğlu on regional security and “professional matters of mutual concern”, ISPR said.

According to ISPR, the field marshal was bestowed the Turkish Armed Forces Distinguished Service Medal by General Bayraktaroğlu in recognition of his meritorious services and commitment to bolstering bilateral military cooperation, the statement said.

CDF Munir later visited the headquarters of the Turkish Land Forces, where he met its commander, General Metin Tokel. The two military leaders had previously met last month to discuss avenues for enhanced bilateral defence cooperation.

During the visit, the field marshal also laid a floral wreath at Anitkabir, the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, founder of modern Turkiye, paying tribute to his "visionary leadership and the deep-rooted historical bonds between the two nations", the statement said

Pakistan and Turkiye, part of the recently formed Regional Four (R4) comprising Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and Egypt, have cemented their relationship, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stating that the two nations were “two hearts with one soul” on his recent trip to Ankara. 

The ISPR said CDF Munir's visit reflected the commitment of both countries to further strengthening defense relations and continuing joint efforts for regional peace and stability.