Erdogan arrives to enhance trade, economic ties

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrived here Thursday on a two-day visit. He, along with Prime Minister Imran Khan, will co-chair the 6th Session of the Pakistan-Turkey High Level Strategic Cooperation Council (HLSCC) in the joint cabinet format today (Friday) aimed at further strengthening bilateral ties in various fields, including trade and economy.

Prime Minister Imran Khan welcomed President Erdogan and Turkish First Lady Emine Erdogan as they disembarked from their airplane at the Nur Khan Airbase. The Turkish president is accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising cabinet members, senior officials and CEOs and businessmen.

The prime minister personally drove President Erdogan and the Turkish first lady from the airport to Prime Minister's House where a guard of honour was presented to Erdogan by smartly turned-out personnel of the armed forces. Senior cabinet members and government officials welcomed the Turkish president at the Prime Minister's House.

Later, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and First Lady of Turkey Emine Erdogan were warmly welcomed by President Dr Arif Alvi at the President House followed by a meeting between the two presidents.

President Arif Alvi later hosted a banquet in honour of the distinguished guests which was also attended by senior cabinet ministers, parliamentarians and Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa.

The visiting Turkish president and Prime Minister Khan will co-chair the 6th Session of the Pakistan-Turkey High Level Strategic Cooperation Council (HLSCC) in the joint cabinet format today (Friday).

At the conclusion of the session, a joint declaration will be signed. A number of important agreements/MoUs will be signed between the two countries which would be followed by a joint press stakeout by President Erdogan and Prime Minister Khan.

The High Level Strategic Cooperation Council is the highest level decision-making forum, providing strategic direction to further strengthening of relations between the two countries.

Later in the day, together with Prime Minister Imran Khan, he will address the Pakistan-Turkey Business and Investment Forum which brings together leading investors and business-people from both sides.

"Bilateral cooperation in various fields including trade and economy will further enhance with President Erdogan's visit," said Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi in a statement, adding that the two sides are willing to turn the friendly relations into a deep bilateral political and economic partnership.

Given the investors' friendly policy of the present government, Qureshi said that efforts would be made to agree on best economic projects which could benefit the two countries alike.

The foreign minister said that Turkey has been supporting Pakistan in Financial Action Task Force (FATF) from the day one, adding that Turkey has openly supported Pakistan at the international forum. He further said that both Pakistan and Turkey are supporting each other at various multilateral international forums.

Earlier in the day, Foreign Office spokesperson Aisha Farooqui told her weekly media briefing that Pakistan and Turkey have a unique and abiding relationship characterized by mutual support and exceptional mutual trust and understanding.

She said that the two brotherly countries have always been each other's steadfast partners. "Turkey supports the cause of self-determination for the people of Indian-Occupied Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistan stands by Turkey on the question of Cyprus," she added.

President Erdogan will address a joint-sitting of the parliament today (Friday). He will also perform Friday prayers at the Faisal Mosque.

Strict security arrangements have been taken for the visit of the Turkish President and according to Islamabad Police, more than 2,000 personnel and officers have been deployed during the high profile visit.