ANKARA: A bilateral road transport agreement signed between Pakistan and Turkey in 2003 is likely to become operational this year, it was decided on Wednesday after Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif reached Ankara for a three-day visit.

The second meeting of Pakistan-Turkey joint commission on transit system was held under the framework of bilateral road transport agreement between Pakistan and Turkey signed in June 15, 2003.

Turkey will be assisting the road infrastructure project while Turkish Bank will finance the 147-kilometre Quetta-Taftan road.

An optic fibre cable will be laid connecting Pakistan, Iran and Turkey with China.

Both sides discussed various issues of mutual interest for strengthening bilateral relations in the fields of roads and transit system.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will attend the fifth session of the Pakistan-Turkey High Level Strategic Cooperation Council.

The premier, who was received at the airport by the Turkish sports minister, is accompanied by Commerce Minister Khurram Dastgir Khan, Petroleum Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and Assistant to the PM on Foreign Affairs Tariq Fatemi, among others.

PM Nawaz will co-chair the meeting with Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim; a number of other agreements are also expected to be signed. He will also meet Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The PM will also visit Turkish parliament, where he will pay homage to those who laid down their lives in defence of democracy following the 2016 failed coup.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan hosted a family dinner in honour of the prime minister.

Turkish First Lady Emine Erdogan and Begum Kalsoom Nawaz also joined their spouses at the dinner, held at the residence of Turkish President. source.. https://tribune.com.pk/story/1336176/nawaz-ankara-transport-deal-turkey-come-force-year/