ISLAMABAD - Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf hosted a dinner in honor of Turkish President Abdullah Gul on Monday.
The dinner was also attended by Pakistani Prime Minister Mohammedmian Soomro, Turkish National Education Minister Huseyin Celik, Chairman of the Union of Chambers & Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB) Rifat Hisarciklioglu, Pakistani state officials and foreign mission staff in Pakistan.
Musharraf told the dinner guests that Turkey and Pakistan have strong ties and he thanked Turkey for efforts exerted in the aftermath of the recent earthquake that killed thousands of people in Pakistan.
He said Pakistan denounces terrorism and extremism and added that his country shares the same opinions with Turkey regarding regional and international issues.
On the other hand, Abdullah Gul said he was very pleased to be in Pakistan and depicted his visit as "a family reunion". He said a significant part of major international problems occurred in this geography where Turkey and Pakistan are located, noting that these two countries are the guaranty of peace and security in the region.
Following the dinner, Gul and his accompanying delegation left Pakistan for Turkey.