Jalil Afridi
Istanbul: At the invitation of his Turkish counterpart, the Prime Minister of Pakistan Mr. Muhammad Nawaz Sharif will pay a three day official visit to Turkey from 16-18 September.
The Prime Minister will meet the Turkish President H.E. Mr. Abdullah Gül as well as Prime Minister H.E. Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The two Prime Ministers will co-chair the third meeting of the High Level Cooperation Council (HLCC) in Ankara. The HLCC provides a unique platform to give a long-term strategic direction to bilateral relations between the two brotherly countries of Pakistan and Turkey.
In recognition of close and brotherly relations between Pakistan and Turkey, President of the Republic of Turkey will confer the award “Republic Order” (Cumhuriyet Nisan) in a special investiture ceremony upon Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. In order to further enhance relations in all fields specially in the economic and commercial spheres, the two countries are likely to sign several agreements/MoUs. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will have a site visit of an award winning low-cost housing project in Ankara, built for disadvantaged sections of the society. On 18th September, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will proceed to Istanbul where he will address a large Business Forum. He will also have separate individual meetings with leading Turkish CEOs and investors.
Leading Pakistani businessmen are also expected to attend the Business Forum. They will also interact with their Turkish counterparts to explore mutually beneficial business opportunities.
Pakistani Prime Minister’s Turkey visit is likely to result in substantial Turkish partnership in the energy, low cost housing, infrastructure development, municipal services such as mass transit, etc.
Inspired by the success of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s people friendly government, the Government of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is planning to launch many such projects with the Turkish partnership including its private sector. Keeping in view the high esteem that the leadership and the people of Pakistan have for Turkey and its leadership, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has chosen Turkey as the second official destination for his foreign visit.