ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has arrived in Pakistan for a two-day official visit from February 13 to 14, 2020, the Dispatch News Desk (DND) news agency reported.
Prime Minister Imran Khan and other senior officials received the distinguished guest at the Noor Khan Airbase. The First Lady of Turkey Emine Erdogan also accompanied the Turkish president.
Erdogan is accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising cabinet members and senior government officials, as well as heads and Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of leading Turkish Corporations.
Upon reaching Pakistan, President of Turkey @RTErdogan has been received by PM @ImranKhanPTI. His Excellency Recep Tayyip Erdoğan was presented with Guard of Honour at Prime Minister House. #WelcomeErdoganToPakistan #PMImranKhan pic.twitter.com/KkJAmCQvvr
— Prime Minister’s Office, Pakistan (@PakPMO) February 13, 2020
During the visit, Prime Minister Imran Khan and President Erdogan will have a tete-a-tete, after which they will co-chair the Sixth Session of the Pakistan-Turkey High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council (HLSCC) in the joint cabinet format. At the conclusion of the Session, a Joint Declaration will be signed. A number of important agreements/MoUs are expected to be concluded. The two leaders will have a joint press stakeout.
The Turkish president will separately meet with his Pakistani Counterpart Dr Arif Alvi.
Tayyip Erdogan will also address a Joint Session of Parliament of Pakistan.
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.
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. There are seven Joint Working Groups (JWGs) working under the HLSCC, focused on Political Coordination; Trade & Investment; Energy; Banking & Finance; Transport & Communications; Culture & Tourism; and Education. So far, five Sessions of the HLSCC have been held, alternately in Islamabad and Ankara.
Pakistan and Turkey have a unique and abiding relationship characterized by mutual support and exceptional mutual trust and understanding. 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 & Kashmir. Pakistan stands by Turkey on the question of Cyprus.
Under the leadership of Prime Minister Imran Khan and President Erdogan, Pakistan-Turkey relations have further fortified into an enduring partnership. Both sides place a strong emphasis on forging a robust economic relationship. There is also a joint resolve to translate historic amity into vibrant cooperation in diverse fields, including in the context of combating Islamophobia, promoting Islamic solidarity, and advancing shared goals of regional peace, security, and stability.
The visit of President Erdogan will serve to underscore the traditional solidarity and affinity between the two countries and prove to be another significant milestone in the further deepening and broadening of the flourishing Pakistan-Turkey strategic partnership.
