Turkish President presented guard of honour at PM House

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was on Thursday presented a guard of honour during an official welcome ceremony held here 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.
Later, Prime Minister Imran Khan and President Recep Rayyip Erdogan introduced their respective delegartions.

Earlier, President Erdogan was accorded a warm red-carpet welcome at the Nur Khan airbase as he arrived on a two-day official visit to Pakistan. Prime Minister Imran Khan received the Turkish leader. 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 bouquets to President Erdogan and the Turkish First Lady.

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

President Erdogan, who is visiting Pakistan on the invitation of Prime Minister Imran Khan, was accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising cabinet members and senior government officials, as well as heads and CEOs (Chief Executive Officers) of leading Turkish corporations.

During the visit, Prime Minister Imran Khan and President Erdogan will have a tete-a-tete, after which they will co-chair the 6th Session of the Pakistan-Turkey High Level Strategic Cooperation Council (HLSCC) in the joint cabinet format.

At the conclusion of the session, a Joint Declaration will be signed. A number of important agreements / MoUs (Memorandums of Understanding) are expected to be concluded. The two leaders will have a joint press stakeout, the Foreign Office said in a statement issued here on Wednesday.

Besides, holding a separate meeting with President Dr. Arif Alvi, President Erdogan will also address a Joint Session of the Parliament.

Together with Prime Minister Imran Khan, President Erdogan will address the Pakistan-Turkey Business and Investment Forum, which brings together leading investors and business-people from both sides.

The High Level Strategic Cooperation Council is the highest level decision-making forum, providing strategic direction to further strengthening of relations between the two countries. There are seven Joint Working Groups (JWGs) working under the HLSCC, focused on Political Coordination; Trade & Investment; Energy; Banking & Finance; Transport & Communications; Culture & Tourism; and Education. So far, 5 sessions of the HLSCC have been held, alternately in Islamabad and Ankara.

Pakistan and Turkey have a unique and abiding relationship characterized by mutual support and exceptional mutual trust and understanding. The two brotherly countries have always been each other’s steadfast partners. Turkey supports the cause of self-determination for the people of Indian-Occupied Jammu & Kashmir. Pakistan stands by Turkey on the question of Cyprus.

Under the leadership of Prime Minister Imran Khan and President Erdogan, Pakistan-Turkey relations have further fortified into an enduring partnership. Both sides place a strong emphasis on forging a robust economic relationship. There is also a joint resolve to translate historic amity into vibrant cooperation in diverse fields, including in the context of combating Islamophobia, promoting Islamic solidarity, and advancing shared goals of regional peace, security and stability.

The visit of President Erdogan will serve to underscore the traditional solidarity and affinity between the two countries, and prove to be another significant milestone in the further deepening and broadening of the flourishing Pakistan-Turkey strategic partnership, the statement concluded.