ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari has summoned a joint sitting of the parliament on May 21 to be addressed by the Turkish prime minister.

The Turkish premier, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, will arrive in Pakistan on May 20 for a three-day official visit to the country on the invitation of Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani. The president has summoned the joint-session on the advice of the prime minister.

Erdogan will be accompanied by the first lady and a high-powered delegation on the three-day trip. The Turkish PM will also co-chair the second High-Level Cooperation Council meeting with PM Gilani.

PM Gilani was also invited to address the Turkish parliament during his last visit to Turkey in December 2010 – an honour usually reserved for the heads of the states.