Turkish foreign minister arrives in Pakistan on three-day visit

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu arrived in Islamabad on Tuesday evening on a three-day official visit.

Cavusoglu and members of his delegation would hold meetings with the top leadership of Pakistan from January 12-14. He will hold bilateral talks with Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and call on Prime Minister Imran Khan and President Arif Alvi, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. The two foreign ministers will review the entire gamut of bilateral relations and exchange views on regional and international issues. 

Foreign Minister Cavusoglu’s visit to Pakistan is part of regular high-level exchanges between the two countries. This is his third visit to Pakistan over the last two and a half years. The fraternal relations between Pakistan and Turkey are deeply embedded in common faith, culture and history and underpinned by exceptional mutual trust and respect. 

Pakistan-Turkey bilateral relations have been institutionalised under the High Level Strategic Cooperation Council (HLSCC), which is the highest level decision-making forum, providing strategic direction to further boost the partnership. Co-chaired by President Erdogan and Prime Minister Imran Khan, the 6th Session of HLSCC was held in Islamabad in February 2020. 

The Strategic Economic Framework (SEF), signed at 6th Session of HLSCC, has 71 action points for deeper cooperation between the two countries in diverse fields. The Foreign Office spokesperson said, “Pakistan and Turkey enjoy close collaboration on issues of mutual interest at multilateral fora such as the UN, OIC and ECO. Turkey is an important member of the OIC Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir and has been consistently supporting the right of self-determination for the Kashmiri people.” 

The visit of the Turkish foreign minister will help further deepen the bilateral ties and enhance cooperation in multiple areas.