Mamnoon urges strategic economic partnership with Turkey

President Mamnoon Hussain has called for translating the current positive momentum and friendly equation generated through frequent high level visits between Pakistan and Turkey into strategic economic partnership to the mutual benefit of the people of the two countries and the region. The President said this during his meeting with Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Prime Minister of Turkey at the Presidency on Tuesday. The Turkish PM was accompanied by Zafer Caglayan, Minister of Economy, Binali Yildirim, Minister of Transport and Sadik Babur Girgin, Turkish Ambassador to Pakistan. From Pakistan side, those who attended the meeting included Ishaq Dar, Finance Minister, Zahid Hamid, Minister for Science & Technology, Sartaj Aziz, Adviser to Prime Minister on National Security and Foreign Affairs and Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry, Acting Foreign Secretary. The two leaders exchanged views on Pakistan-Turkey bilateral relations and regional and international issues of mutual interest. Welcoming the Turkish PM and his delegation, the President said that Pakistan attaches great significance to its fraternal and multifaceted ties with Turkey and desires to further enhance and strengthen these ties in all fields. Friendship with the Turkish people is part of the legacy inherited from our forefathers that we greatly cherish and preserve, the President said and added Turkey and Pakistan enjoy a unique relationship which is unparalleled in the world. The President expressed confidence that the visit of the Turkish Prime Minister, accompanied by a huge business delegation would prove to be a landmark in strategic economic partnership between our two brotherly countries besides providing great impetus to further boost trade and investment. Highlighting the investment friendly policies of the government, the President said that present government has embarked on an ambitious socio-economic development agenda and various steps are being taken to attract both domestic and foreign investment. The President invited Turkish investors and businessmen to avail the investment opportunities and the incentive packages, the present government offers in various areas including trade, energy, infrastructure, communication and others. The President expressed the hope that various MoUs and agreements signed during the visit of the Prime Minister would explore new avenues of mutual co-operation and would help boost Pak-Turkey trade and economic ties to new heights thus ushering in a new era of progress and prosperity for the people of the two countries. Discussing regional situation, the President said that Pakistan is committed to the peace and stability of the region and would welcome all efforts aimed at restoring peace and stability in the region. The President said that Pakistan and Turkey as the two pillars of strength stand united in their joint endeavour to promote peace and stability in the region. The President later also hosted lunch for the Turkish PM, his family and the accompanying delegation.-PR