ISLAMABAD: Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday said a strong democratic system in Pakistan was vital for regional peace.

The Turkish prime minister, who is here on a three-day official visit, in his address to the joint sitting of the parliament said there was a heavy responsibility on the nation's parliamentarians who were striving hard for democracy and to help solve the longstanding problems of the masses.

He told the packed to the capacity Parliament House that a strong democratic system in Pakistan could lead to an equally strong economic system that could benefit its people.

Erdogan said democracy had a long history of struggle and the way to achieve the goal was neither easy nor simple as it always required a persistent struggle.

The Turkish prime minister was highly appreciative of the role the Pakistani parliamentarians were playing to make the country strong and prosperous.

In his extempore address in Turkish, translated into Urdu by an interpreter, Erdogan said the real role of the opposition was not to criticise the government, merely for the sake of criticism, but to point out the ills that need to be corrected.

He said it was for the young generation of the country to come forward and participate in the national democratic process to make the system strong.

The Turkish prime minister spoke of the deep historic ties between the two countries that have withstood the test of times.

He vowed to stand by Pakistan through thick and thin and to work together to further deepen their multifaceted ties.

He said Pakistan was Turkey's deep and old friend and he felt extreme satisfaction in addressing the joint sitting for the second time. He extended greetings to the entire Pakistani nation from the people and the Government of Turkey.

Erdogan also appreciated Speaker of the National Assembly Fahmida Mirza, the first female Speaker of the Muslim world.

He also prayed for the 138 officers and soldiers of the Pakistan Army who were trapped under an avalanche in Siachen.

He said the people of Turkey had always stood by their Pakistani brethren. “We share your sorrows and joys and our relationship is an example to be followed by the world.”

Erdogan said the people of Turkey could never ever forget the role played by the Pakistani nation, who even starved to join in the struggle for the liberation of the Turk people.

He said the relationship of deep friendship and respect was unprecedented.

“I feel completely at home when I am in Pakistan, it's like being back in the family,” he added.

He was appreciative of the close ties that have evolved between the two countries over the years and recalled the frequent high level exchanges that have taken between the two countries.

He hoped the High Level Cooperation Council that would be meeting on Tuesday, would strengthen trade and commercial ties between the two countries. He said the series of meetings in that regard had been fruitful and stressed enhancing their air, sea and land links for mutual benefit.

He was also hopeful that the defence cooperation between the two countries was strong and said people-to-people contacts and ties at the level of their business communities and youth would be beneficial for the two peoples.

Erdogan particularly mentioned the bilateral and trilateral contacts between the two countries at international and other fora and said both Pakistan and Turkey had expressed the resolve to further strengthen their ties.

Erdogan also noted the huge sacrifices rendered by Pakistan, while combatting terrorism in the recent years.

“We understand your pain and will continue to stand by you in the days ahead.”

He assured that Turkey and Pakistan would stand together in the fight against terrorism.

The Turkish prime minister referred to the trilateral arrangement among Pakistan, Turkey and Afghanistan and said the three countries would continue to jointly work for regional peace.

He recalled the earthquake of 2005 and the floods of 2010 and 2011 and said he personally witnessed the large scale devastation, his country was closely working with Pakistan in the rehabilitation work and would continue cooperation till its completion.

The Turkish prime minister, however, regretted the state of things in the Muslim world. He mentioned the situation in Tunis, Yemen, Egypt, Palestine and Tunis and stressed the need for unity and determination to confront the challenges it was facing.

Earlier, Speaker of the National Assembly Dr Fehmida Mirza in her welcome address for the Turkish premier said that both countries were strongly tied in religious, spiritual, cultural and linguistic links as both were cast in the same mould.

The Turkish premier arrived here on Sunday, accompanied by the first lady and a high-powered delegation, on a three-day visit at the invitation of Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani. Both leaders will address a press conference after signing five agreements of cooperation between the two countries.

The leaders will also co-chair the second High Level Cooperation Council meeting of the two countries. The first meeting was held in Turkey in 2010.

It is Prime Minister Erdogan’s fifth visit to Pakistan. PM Gilani also addressed the Turkish parliament earlier in December 2010.

The session was also attended by Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Gen Khalid Shameem Wynne, Chief of Army Staff Gen Ashfaq Pervez Kayani, and other service chiefs as well as governors and provincial chief ministers.