ISLAMABAD: President Mamnoon Hussain has left for Turkey to attend the presidential handover ceremony of President-elect Recep Tayyip Erdogan which is scheduled to be held in Ankara today.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was also invited to the ceremony but he cancelled his visit due to the prevailing situation in Islamabad.

"The president is accompanied by Adviser to the Prime Minister on National Security and Foreign Affairs Mr. Sartaj Aziz," Foreign Office spokesperson Tasneem Aslam said in a statement.

Aslam said the ceremony is being attended by many heads of state and government as well as other high-level foreign dignitaries.

Erdogan was elected as the 12th President of Turkey in the first ever direct presidential elections which were held on August 10.

"Pakistan and Turkey enjoy excellent bilateral relations, marked by cordiality, deep mutual trust and understanding. In recent years, the relationship has transformed into a strategic partnership, with a strong emphasis on economic collaboration," said a statement issued by the FO spokesperson.

"The president’s visit will reinforce efforts for closer bilateral cooperation and further strengthen the growing partnership between the two countries," Aslam added.