Turkish Premier to arrive today

ISLAMABAD: Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan would reach Pakistan today (Tuesday) on a two-day official visit.

According to Foreign Office spokesman, on the invitation of Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Turkey, His Excellency Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdogan would visit Pakistan on 12-13 October, 2010.

Besides meetings with the leadership, the Turkish Prime Minister’s programme includes visits to the flood-affected areas.

Pakistan and Turkey enjoy special relations, which are deeply rooted in the minds and hearts of the two peoples. Turkey was among the first to respond to the floods calamity and has contributed generously to the humanitarian relief work for the flood-affected people.

The wife of the Turkish Prime Minister, Mrs. Emine Erdogan had earlier paid a special visit to Pakistan to demonstrate Turkey’s full solidarity with Pakistan in the wake of the floods. The Turkish leadership and people have launched fund raising campaign and organized substantial assistance for relief and reconstruction, the spokesman said.

The visit of the Turkish Prime Minister will also provide an excellent opportunity for further strengthening Pakistan-Turkey comprehensive partnership. Meanwhile sources said Turkish PM would visit Muzaffargarh during his visit to Pakistan and would express his sympathies with the flood affectees, he would also visit Mehmood Kot with Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani along with a 17-member delegation.