ISLAMABAD:23 May: Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday was conferred honorary degree of Doctor of Philosophy in International Relations by the Quaid-e-Azam University. Acting President Nayyer Hussain Bokhari conferred the degree on the Turkish premier at a ceremony at the Presidency.

His Pakistan counterpart, Prime Minister Gilani, members of the federal cabinet, diplomats and other officials and the academic staff of Quaid-e-Azam University were also present on the occasion.

The PhD degree was conferred on the visiting prime minister to honour his efforts in promoting understanding between civilisations, interfaith harmony, tolerance, freedom, democracy and human rights as reflected in Turkey's dynamic foreign policy under his leadership. Quaid-e-Azam University Vice Chancellor Masoom Yasin Saeed, while highlighting the reasons to honour the Turkish leader with a PhD degree, said that the University syndicate 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 enrol the Turkish PM 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 premier 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 civilisation and true friends. He said the honorary degree in International Relations conferred on 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. He 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. app.