Turkish PM Ahmet Davutoglu holds talks with Nawaz Sharif, 11 agreements signed

ISLAMABAD: Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu today held talks with his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif here on key issues as the two nations signed eleven agreements, including on economy, trade and energy.

Accompanied by a high-level delegation, including several cabinet ministers, top businessmen and government officials, the Turkish premier signed the agreements on the first day of his two-day visit here today.

The Turkish leader and his host Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif chaired the 4th meeting of Pakistan-Turkey High Level Strategic Cooperation Council during which the deals were inked.

"One agreement, five protocols, three MoUs, one additional protocol and a joint declaration to strengthen the strategic ties have been signed," the government said.

Addressing the meeting, Sharif said Pakistan and Turkey are indispensable partners and their relationship is unparalleled in inter-state relations.

He expressed gratitude over the strong and spontaneous support extended by the Turkish leadership and the people following the Peshawar school attack.

Addressing the meeting, Davutoglu said the two countries have common destiny, as their relationship is institutionalised.

Both the leaders held a one-on-one meeting which was followed by delegation-level talks. They agreed to enhance cooperation between the two countries in diverse fields including economy, trade, energy, communications, education, culture and tourism.

He also hailed Pakistan's efforts for better ties with India and said, "We support your initiative to have good neighbourly relations with India."

Davutoglu is also expected to call on President Mamnoon Hussain during his first trip to Pakistan since assuming office in August last year.

President Hussain is expected to confer on Davutoglu a civil award during a special ceremony at the President House later in the evening.

Earlier in the day, he met army chief General Raheel Sharif in Islamabad and the two held talks on defence and security cooperation, according to a military spokesman.

"Matters related to regional and bilateral security and defence cooperation came under discussion," the spokesman said.

The Turkish leader lauded the success achieved by Pakistan security forces in their fight against terrorism, he added.