LOC17:53
14:53 GMT
ISLAMABAD, Dec 3 (KUNA) -- Pakistani Prime Minister will begin official
visits to the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and Turkey from Saturday, amid
whistle-blowing Wikileaks revelations, it was announced here on Friday.
Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani will pay a two-day long official
visit to Afghanistan on Saturday at the invitation of President Hamid Karzai,
said a foreign office statement.
In Kabul, it said, the Premier will hold talks with President Karzai on
further expanding bilateral relations which are underpinned by mutual respect
and mutual interest. They will also exchange views on the overall regional
situation, it added.
From Monday, said another statement, the Premier will begin three-day long
visit to Turkey to co-chair the inaugural session of the High Level
Cooperation Council (HLCC) with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan
in Ankara.
The HLCC provides a unique platform to give a long-term strategic direction
to bilateral relations between the two brotherly countries of Pakistan and
Turkey. Gilani will address the Turkish Grand National Assembly besides
meetings with the Turkish leadership.
The Turkish President will confer the award Republic Order on Prime
Minister Gilani in a special investiture ceremony, in recognition to his
services for promoting brotherly relations between the two countries, said the
statement. (end)
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KUNA 031753 Dec 10NNNN