ISLAMABAD: President Mamnoon Hussain Tuesday called for translating the positive momentum between Pakistan and Turkey into a strategic economic partnership for mutual benefit of people of the two countries and the region.

The President during a meeting with Prime Minister of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan here at the President House said Pakistan attaches great significance to its fraternal and multifaceted ties with Turkey and desires to further enhance these in all fields. “Friendship with the Turkish people was part of our legacy inherited from forefathers that we greatly cherish and preserve,” he said.

The President said Pakistan and Turkey enjoy a unique relationship which was unparalleled in the world.
During the meeting the two leaders exchanged views on Pakistan-Turkey bilateral relations and regional and international issues of mutual of interest.

The President invited Turkish investors and businessmen to avail the investment opportunities and incentive packages, the present government offers for investment in various areas including trade, energy, infrastructure, communication and others.

He said the impressive business delegation, accompanying the Prime Minister, was a strong endorsement on the investment friendly business policies of the government.

He expressed confidence that the well-attended Business Forum that was addressed by the Prime Ministers of the two countries in Lahore, would go a long way in further strengthening economic and business ties.

He said that the visit of the Turkish Prime Minister, accompanied  by a huge business delegation, would prove to be landmark in the strategic economic partnership between two brotherly countries besides providing great impetus to further boost trade, economic and investment ties.

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 were being taken to attract both domestic and foreign investment in Pakistan.

The President expressed hope that the various MoUs and agreements signed during the visit of the Prime Minister would explore new avenues  of mutual cooperation 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 Pakistan was committed to 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 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 Prime Minister, his family and the accompanying delegation.

The Turkish Prime Minister was accompanied by Minister of Economy Zafer Caglayan, Minister of Transport Binali Yildirim and Turkish Ambassador to Pakistan Babur Girgin.

From Pakistan side the meeting was attended by Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, Minister for Science and Technology Zahid Hamid, Adviser to Prime Minister on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz, and Acting Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry.

Source: APP