President Pranab Mukherjee leaves for Turkey

BRUSSELS: President Pranab Mukherjee on Saturday left for Turkey, the second leg of his tour, after he finished his four-day visit to Belgium where he attended a host of state events.

During his stay in Belgium, the President inaugurated the 'Europalia-India 2013-14', a cultural extravaganza showcasing India.

Mukherjee, in his maiden trip to the country after taking over as the head of the state, was invited by the King Philippe, who in a rare gesture came at the airport here to receive him.

This was the first visit of an Indian President to the European country.

The President will be in Turkey till October 7 where he will attend a host of events. He is going there on an invitation by the President of Turkey.

It would be the third visit by an Indian President to Turkey after the visits by the President of India in 1993 and 1998.

India and Turkey share common interest in ensuring peace and political stability in Afghanistan and Central Asia.