ISLAMABAD - Prime Minister of Turkey Ahmet Davutoglu will arrive today (Tuesday) on a two-day visit to Pakistan. This would be Prime Minister Davutoglu’s first visit to Pakistan since assuming the present office in August last year.
According to Foreign Office Spokesperson, the Turkish prime minister would be accompanied by a high-level delegation, including several cabinet ministers and senior government officials. A representative delegation of Turkey’s top businessmen would also accompany the Turkish Prime Minister. During the visit, the 4th meeting of the Pakistan-Turkey High Level Strategic Cooperation Council (HLSCC) would be held.
Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu would co-chair the session.
The HLSCC meeting would be preceded by the meetings of Joint Working Groups (JBGs) in 6-key areas, including finance and banking, trade, energy, transport and communications, education, and culture and tourism.
Besides the HLSCC, the visit programme for the Turkish prime minister envisages tete-a-tete between the two prime ministers, a luncheon hosted by Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, and a joint press stakeout. A number of MoUs and agreements are expected to be signed on the occasion. The two prime ministers would also attend the Pakistan-Turkey Business Forum 2015.
The High Level Cooperation Council (HLSCC) was established at the prime ministerial level in October 2009. It has had three sessions so far - in Ankara in December 2010; Islamabad in May 2012; and Ankara in September 2013. At the 3rd session in 2013, the Council was renamed as “High Level Strategic Cooperation Council (HLSCC)” to reflect the strategic nature of the relationship.
During his stay in the federal capital, the Turkish prime minister will call on President Mamnoon Hussain, who would also host a dinner in honour of the visiting dignitary and the accompanying delegation. The Turkish prime minister would also attend events related to the academia, culture and the media.
Pakistan and Turkey enjoy a special relationship — marked by exceptional cordiality and deep mutual trust and understanding. The two countries have common perceptions on regional and international issues and work closely at regional and multilateral fora.
Bilateral relations with Turkey have seen tremendous growth and dynamism in recent years. Consistent efforts are underway to give a central thrust to the trade, economic and investment dimensions of the relationship.
The leadership in both countries remains strongly committed to further deepening, broadening and strengthening the bilateral relationship in every field. There is a joint resolve on both sides to transform the historic and cordial Pakistan-Turkey relationship into a durable strategic and economic partnership.
The visit of Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu would take this process forward, contributing to the peace and prosperity of the two countries and advancing the shared goals of peace, stability and development in the region. Meanwhile, Ambassador of Turkey Sadik Babur Girgin called on President Mamnoon Hussain in Islamabad and extended invitation from the Turkish President for attending the 100th Commemoration Ceremony of Canakkale Land Battles to be held on April 24 this year.
The President, on this occasion said that people of Pakistan are looking forward to welcoming the Turkish prime minister. He asked the Turkish companies to make investment in all sectors particularly energy, infrastructure, urban development and low cost housing.