ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari Monday said Pakistan and Turkey were tied in strong political and bilateral ties that would further strengthen in the times ahead.

He was talking to Ambassador of Turkey Rauf Engin Soysal who called on the President here at the Aiwan-e-Sadr. The President underlined the importance of strong relationship between Pakistan and Turkey and said that the two countries enjoyed deep level of friendship and vowed to further expand it to cover all areas of bilateral cooperation.

The Ambassador said that Turkey considers people of Pakistan as brothers and wants Pakistan to be a strong and prosperous country. He also underscored the need for strengthening economic and trade ties between Pakistan and Turkey.