ISLAMABAD: Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu has arrived on a two-day official visit in Pakistan last night on an invitation of his Pakistani counterpart Shah Mehmood Qureshi.

In a statement, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said apart from meeting Foreign Minister Qureshi, visiting foreign minister will also call on President Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Imran Khan.

During the meetings, bilateral relations as well as regional and international developments will also be discussed.

Earlier, Cavusoglu in a telephonic conversation with Shah Mehmood Qureshi congratulated him on Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s forming the government under the leadership of Prime Minister Imran Khan

Cavusoglu expressed strong desire of the government of Turkey to further strengthen the close and friendly relations between the two countries.

“Pakistan and Turkey enjoy exemplary fraternal relations based on common faith, values, culture, civilizational linkages, history, mutual trust and support,” he said.

He also conveyed the best wishes of the people of Turkey for the continued peace, progress and prosperity of Pakistan in guidance of the new leadership in the country.

Reciprocating the warm sentiments, Foreign Minister Qureshi stated that over the years, relations between both countries have been transformed into a mutually beneficial strategic partnership.

He expressed his keen desire to work closely with his Turkish counterpart to expand bilateral cooperation in all areas, particularly in trade and economic sector.

He added that Pakistan and Turkey would also continue to play a coordinated role to promote peace and stability in the region.

Pakistan Navy in July this year signed a contract for acquisition of four MILGEM Class Ships with Turkey’s M/S ASFAT A, a military factory and shipyard company under the Ministry of National Defence, Turkey, in Rawalpindi.

The contract also includes complete transfer of technology and the transfer of intellectual proprietary rights for the design of these ships to Pakistan.

The 1st and 2nd ship will be built at Istanbul Naval Shipyard while remaining two ships will be constructed at Karachi Shipyard & Engineering Works (KS&EW).

A noteworthy feature of the contract is that the 4th warship will be designed jointly by Pakistan’s Maritime Technologies Complex (MTC) and will be the first indigenous designed and constructed frigate.

The construction of 3rd and 4th ship at KS&EW will not only enhance the industrial production confidence and the ships construction potential but also contribute towards national economy, creating new jobs and development of highly skilled human resource of the Karachi Shipyard.

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