Turkish PM Erdogan conferred PhD degree

ISLAMABAD: Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday was conferred honorary degree of Doctor of Philosophy in International Relations from the Quaid-e-Azam University.

Acting President Nayyer Hussain Bokhari conferred the honorary PhD degree to the Turkish Prime Minister at a special ceremony at Aiwan-e-Sadr here, which was attended by other members of his entourage.

Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani, members of the Federal Cabinet, diplomats and other officials besides the academic staff of the Quaid-e-Azam University were also present on the occasion.

The PhD degree was conferred to Turkish Prime Minister to honour his efforts in promoting understanding between civilizations, interfaith harmony, tolerance, freedom, democracy and human rights as reflected in Turkey's dynamic foreign policy under his leadership.

Vice Chancellor of the Quaid-e-Azam University Masoom Yasin Saeed while highlighting the reasons to honour the Turkish Prime Minister with PhD degree, said the Syndicate of the University had considered him a suitable person to receive the degree for his achievements in the international community and to raise the status of Turkey in the world.

He said the Quaid-e-Azam University was proud to have enroll the Turkish Prime Minister as a worthy recipient of the degree from an institution which was the top most university of the country in research productivity.

Thanking the Quaid-e-Azam University, for honouring him with the PhD degree, the Turkish Prime Minister said both Pakistan and Turkey had very strong brotherly relations based on common background, culture and heritage.

He said the two countries were unique in the region having close and friendly relations both at the government-to-government and the people-to-people levels. He said Pakistan and Turkey were brothers and united as fingers of a hand.

Prime Minister Erdogan said both the countries were members of the same civilization and true friends.

He said the honorary degree in International Relations conferred to him today, would further promote solidarity between the two countries.

Erdogan said both Pakistan and Turkey had significant and important responsibility in the international community.

He said both the countries were facing many challenges to ensure peace, security and stability in the region.

The Turkish Prime Minister said foreign policy of Turkey and Pakistan should be used as role model for the world as both the countries had unanimity of views on all the international issues.

He said the close cooperation at various levels between Pakistan and Turkey would further strengthen bilateral ties.

Without mentioning the name of any country, the Turkish Prime Minister criticized the policy of some countries. who possessed weapons of mass destruction but did not allowing any other country to have weapons even for their defence.

Referring to the importance and equal status of each and every country in the world, the Turkish Prime Minister said every country should be given respect and honour either it is small or big.

He urged the Muslim countries to live with honour and dignity with unity among themselves.

He assured full support and cooperation from Turkey to Pakistan in all spheres. He also assured full help to Pakistan in its efforts in the war against terror.

He said the international community should not remain silent on the killing of innocent children any where in the world.

Later, acting President Nayyer Bokhari hosted a lunch in honour of the Turkish Prime Minister, members of his entourage and diplomats. Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani, members of his family and cabinet members also attended the luncheon reception. (APP)