Erdogan's 2-day visit to Pakistan begins Wednesday

By Aamir Latif

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is visiting Pakistan this Wednesday and Thursday at the invitation of President Mamnoon Hussain, said a statement from Pakistan's Foreign Ministry Monday.

Erdogan has visited Pakistan on a number of occasions, but this will be his first bilateral visit since rising to the presidency in August 2014.

Erdogan will be accompanied by a high-level entourage, including ministers and senior officials, as well as a large business delegation, the statement said.

Besides meeting with Hussain, Erdogan will hold talks with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif covering a wide range of bilateral matters, as well as regional and international issues.

Erdogan is also scheduled to address a joint session of Parliament. Pakistan's president will host a banquet in honor of the distinguished guest and his entourage. Erdogan will also travel to Lahore, where the prime minister will host a banquet in his honor at the Shahi Fort.

"Pakistan and Turkey are bound by an exemplary relationship characterized by warmth, cordiality, and mutual trust. These are embedded deep in history, common faith, cultural and linguistic affinities and a sense of common destiny. Frequent exchanges at the leadership and ministerial levels and growing cooperation in diverse fields are the hallmarks of the unique bonds between Pakistan and Turkey," the statement said.

"The leadership of both countries is committed to transforming this historic relationship into a strong strategic partnership, in line with the realities of the 21st century. The High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council at the leadership level and a host of other bilateral institutional mechanisms provide an effective platform for frequent exchanges of views," it continued.

Bilateral ties between Pakistan and Turkey have seen tremendous growth and dynamism in recent years, and both sides are working to boost trade, investment, and commercial cooperation as part of efforts to build a robust economic partnership, the statement said.

The statement also stressed Turkish and Pakistani collaboration on supporting the people of occupied Jammu and Kashmir’s right to self-determination, as well as Pakistan’s support to Turkey on the Cyprus issue.

The Pakistani and Turkish leaderships remain strongly committed to further deepening and strengthening bilateral ties in all areas, and Erdogan’s visit will further solidify their abiding relationship, the statement concluded.