Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to visit Pakistan

The Pakistan government said on Monday that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will visit Pakistan this week to improve ties in various fields.

The Foreign Office said Erdogan will visit the country on November 16-17 at the invitation of his Pakistan counterpart Mamnoon Hussain.

"While the Turkish President has been to Pakistan on a number of occasions, this would be his first bilateral visit to Pakistan since assuming office," it said.

Erdogan will be accompanied by a high-level entourage, including ministers and senior officials, as well as a large business delegation.

Besides meeting with Hussain, Erdogan would be holding talks with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and is also scheduled to address a joint session of Parliament.

The exchange of views between the two leaders would cover the entire range of bilateral matters, as well as regional and international issues.

Erdogan will also travel to Lahore. The Foreign Office said that Pakistan and Turkey are bound by an exemplary relationship characterised by warmth, cordiality and mutual trust.

"Frequent exchanges at the leadership and ministerial levels and growing cooperation in diverse fields are the hallmarks of the unique bonds between Pakistan and Turkey," it said.

It said the leadership of both countries is committed to transforming this historic relationship into a strong strategic partnership, in line with the realities of the 21st century.

It said bilateral relations between Pakistan and Turkey have witnessed tremendous growth and dynamism in recent years. Both sides are working to give powerful thrust to bilateral trade, investment and commercial cooperation as part of the efforts to build a robust economic partnership.

Both countries closely collaborate with and mutually support each other at regional and international forums.

The Foreign Office said that Turkey has steadfastly supported the people of "Jammu and Kashmir in their just struggle for the right to self-determination in accordancewith the relevant UN resolutions".

Turkey plays a vital and active role as a member of the OIC Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir, it said adding Erdogan's visit would contribute substantially to further solidifying the relationship between the two countries.