Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has underscored that the defencecollaboration for the construction of warships is another milestone inTurkey-Pakistan defence ties.

He was addressing the launching the practical work on third ship to beconstructed for Pakistan Navy in Istanbul.

Ambassador of Pakistan in Turkey Muhammad Syrus Sajjad Qazi alsoaccompanied the Turkish President at the ground-breaking of the third ofthe four corvettes for Pakistan Navy.

President Erdogan said Pakistan is our brotherly country with whom Turkeyenjoys excellent relations. He said both Pakistan and Turkey are living indifficult geographies and both countries are facing similar challenges.

The Turkish President highlighted that Turkey would continue to supportfriendly and allied countries in the defence field.

While referring to his last year’s Pakistan visit, President Erdogan saidthe two countries signed a Strategic Economic Framework that would providethe necessary institutional framework to further enhance bilateral ties.