Pakistani PM in Ankara to co-chair strategic council

ANKARA Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will co-chair the fifth session of the Pakistan-Turkey High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council meeting alongside Turkish Premier Binali Yildirim in the capital Ankara on Thursday, a source in the Prime Ministry said. The high-level strategic meeting will discuss regional, economic and political issues, and a joint declaration was also expected in the end, the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on talking to the media, said. Both premiers are also expected to hold a joint press conference following the forum. Sharif arrived in Ankara on Wednesday and was welcomed officially by Yildirim on Thursday at Cankaya Palace where the two held a one-hour private meeting prior to the council meeting. As part of his three-day visit, Sharif will also hold a meeting with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on regional and bilateral relations.