ANKARA, Turkey, Dec 6 (APP): Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani arrived here Monday on a three-day official visit to hold talks with Turkish leadership and enhance bilateral ties in various areas including trade, defence and energy.The Prime Minister was received at the Esenboga Airport by Turkish State Minister for Science and Technology, Mehmet Aydin, Pakistan’s Ambassador to Turkey Tariq Azizuddin and senior officials.The prime minister’s delegation included Commerce Minister Makhdoom Amin Fahim, Petroleum Minister Syed Naveed Qamar, Minister for Water and Power Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, Minister for Railways Haji Ghulam Ahmed Bilour, Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir and Chairman Board of Investment Saleem Mandviwala.First Lady Fauzia Gilani is also included in the prime minister’s entourage.
The Prime Minister during his stay in Ankara, will meet Turkish President Abdullah Gul, who will confer on him the ‘Jumhuriyat Nishan’ award at a special investiture ceremony, in recognition of his services for promoting brotherly relations between the two countries.
Gilani besides holding talks with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan will co-chair the inaugural session of the High Level Cooperation Council (HLCC). The HLCC provides a unique platform to give a long-term strategic direction to bilateral relations between Pakistan and Turkey.
The prime minister is also scheduled to address the Turkish Grand National Assembly.
In the ancient city of Istanbul, Gilani will interact with Turkish business community at a luncheon hosted by Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEIK) of Turkey.
Turkey’s Marmara University at a special convocation will award Prime Minister Gilani the honorary degree in journalism – APP
