Pak, Turkey agree to transform relations into strong partnership

ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Pakistan and Turkey have agreed to extend mutual support on issues of each other s core national interest and underscored the importance of fully realizing the immense potential of relationship between the two countries.

The understanding was reached at meeting between President Dr Arif Alvi and his Turkish Counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Islamabad on Thursday.

They also underlined in transforming this relations into a strong and dynamic trade and economic partnership.

Welcoming the President Erdogan to Pakistan, Dr Alvi expressed gratification over the level of enhanced and multifaceted engagement between the two countries.

He said that the 6th Session of High Level Strategic Cooperation Council will further strengthen and broaden the fraternal relations between Pakistan and Turkey.

Dr Alvi also apprised President Erdogan of the worsening human rights situation in Occupied Kashmir and took the opportunity to thank the President Erdogan for his principled stand on Kashmir.

A warm welcome was accorded to the Turkish President and First Lady of Turkey Emine Erdogan over their arrival at the presidency.

President Arif Alvi later hosted banquet in honour of the distinguished guests.

Earlier today, Erdogan was accorded a warm red-carpet welcome as he arrived on a two-day official visit.

Prime Minister Imran Khan received the Turkish leader at the Nur Khan Airbase. Senior Pakistani officials as well as the Turkish Ambassador to Pakistan were also present on the occasion.

Two children, clad in traditional Pakistani costume, presented bouquet to President Erdogan and the Turkish First Lady.

Contingent of static guards presented salute to the visiting dignitaries.

Later, Prime Minister Imran Khan himself drove President Erdogan to the Prime Minister House for welcome ceremony.

The Turkish President was also presented a guard of honour during an official welcome ceremony held at the Prime Minister House.

Upon arrival at the PM House, President Erdogan was warmly welcomed by Prime Minister Imran Khan.

President Erdogan, who was presented a salute and guard of honour by a smartly turned-out contingent of the armed forces, reviewed the guard. National anthems of the two countries were also played on the occasion.

Prime Minister Imran Khan and President Recep Rayyip Erdogan introduced their respective delegartions.