Turkish leader Recep calls on PM Gilani

ISLAMABAD: Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan called on Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani and discussed bilateral matters, Geo News reported Wednesday.

The Turkish leader arrived here Tuesday night on a two-day visit to hold talks with Pakistani leaders and further bolster bilateral ties between the two countries.

The Turkish Prime Minister was warmly received by Minister for Education Sardar Aseff Ahmed Ali after he alighted from his airplane along with his delegation at Chaklala air base.

The Prime Minister welcomed the respectable guest when he arrived at the PM House and discussed various issues including those relating the rehabilitation of the flood-affected people.

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 is visiting Pakistan. 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.