PM in Ankara to hold wide-ranging talks with Turkish leadership

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his Turkish counterpart Binali Yildirim will co-chair the 5th Session of Pakistan-Turkey High Level Strategic Cooperation Council in Ankara on Thursday.

PM Sharif also held a meeting with Yildirim, while simultaneous meetings are being held between the Pakistani delegation comprising Minister for Commerce Khurram Dastgir, Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and Special Assistant on Foreign Affairs Tariq Fatemi with their Turkish counterparts.

During the strategic meeting, the two sides will discuss cooperation in diverse sectors. A number of agreements and Memorandum of Understanding are also expected to be signed on the occasion.

The prime minister would also hold wide-ranging consultations with Turkish leadership on bilateral, regional and international issues.

Earlier on Thursday, PM Sharif laid a floral wreath at Anitkabir, the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk,the founder and first president of modern-day Turkey. He was also officially welcomed with guard of honor at Cankaya Palace in Ankara.

Later, PM Sharif will also visit the Turkish Parliament to reaffirm Pakistan’s unequivocal support and solidarity with the government and people of Turkey against the failed coup attempt in July last year, and pay homage to all those who laid down their lives in defence of the Turkish democracy.

PM Sharif Sharif arrived at the Esenboga Airport in Ankara last night where he was warmly received by the Turkish Federal Minister for Sports and Youth Mr. Akif Cagatay Kilic and was presented bouquets by Turkish children.

Later, he met with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan who hosted a dinner in honour of PM Sharif at the Turkish Presidential Palace.