ISLAMABAD: The seventh meeting of the Pakistan-Turkiye High-Level Strategic Coopera­tion Council (HLSCC) is set to take place in Islamabad next month.

Although official dates have yet to be announced, the meeting is tentatively planned for Feb 12 and 13.

The HLSCC, which serves as the primary mechanism for steering bilateral cooperation, is co-chaired by the prime minister of Pakistan and the president of Turkiye.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, accompanied by a high-level ministerial delegation, is expected to visit Pakistan for the session.

The council, originally established in 2009 to implement the Strategic Economic Framework (SEF) agreed upon by the two countries, was renamed in 2013 during its third session to reflect the strategic nature of the relationship.

The sixth session was held in February 2020, and the seventh meeting, initially planned for 2022, was delayed.

The upcoming HLSCC session will focus on strengthening defence and security collaboration, enhancing trade, boosting economic cooperation, and deepening cultural ties between the two countries.

In a preparatory meeting held on Friday, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar reviewed progress on the Strategic Economic Framework 2020-24 and discussed recent initiatives to bolster bilateral ties.

“The meeting was aimed at preparing a comprehensive roadmap for enhancing trade, economic, and investment cooperation bet­ween Pakistan and Turkiye,” the Foreign Office said in a statement.

“It explored new proposals to strengthen the economic ties between the two countries and forms part of the preparations for the seventh session of the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council to be held in Islamabad.”

Published in Dawn, January 25th, 2025