Pakistan, Turkey To Ink Accords During PM Nawaz Sharif’s Visit

Islamabad, Sept 16, IRNA – Pakistan and Turkey will sign several agreements on bilateral cooperation during Prime Minister’s three-day official visit to Turkey which will begin on Monday, the Foreign Ministry says. Several Memoranda of Understanding and agreements covering a wide range of areas such as security, finance, housing, education, culture, science and technology and trade are expected to be signed during the visit, a Foreign Ministry statement said on Sunday. Nawaz Sharif is scheduled to visit Turkey from 16-18 September at the invitation of Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Prime Minister of Turkey. Key Cabinet Ministers including senior officials will accompany the Prime Minister in his first visit to Turkey since he assumed office in June, the Foreign Ministry said. “Prime Minister’s meetings with the Turkish leadership and his interaction with the Turkish businessmen would be an excellent opportunity to reinforce Pakistan’s strong desire for forging a comprehensive strategic partnership with Turkey, aimed especially at bringing a qualitative and quantitative change in bilateral economic and trade relations.” The Prime Minister will also exchange views with the Turkish leadership on regional and global issues particularly the developments in the Middle East, the statement said. Nawaz Sharif will also address a Business Forum in Istanbul which will be attended by a large number of Turkish investors and entrepreneurs. During his stay in Turkey, the Prime Minister will also meet President Abdullah Gul and co-chair the third session of the High Level Cooperation Council (HLCC). The HLCC at the Prime Ministerial level between Pakistan and Turkey was established during the visit of Prime Minister Recep Erdogan to Pakistan in October 2009. The first session of HLCC was held in December 2010 in Ankara. The second session of the Council took place in May 2012 in Islamabad. The HLCC is mandated to oversee and steer the unique partnership and intensify cooperation between the two countries./end