ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Pakistan and Turkey Thursday commenced the negotiations on a bilateral Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and the inaugural session was held in Ankara.
According to a press release, the two sides reiterated their commitment to have a comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and conclude the negotiations on a fast-track basis.
The decision to have a Pakistan-Turkey FTA was taken by Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu during the 4th session of High Level Strategic Cooperation Council (HLSC) in Islamabad in February 2015.
The decision envisaged an FTA covering trade in goods, services and investments.
During the negotiations, the Pakistan delegation was led by Robina Athar, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Commerce and included Pakistan’s Ambassador to Turkey Sohail Mahmood and Consul General in Istanbul Dr. Yusuf Junaid.
The Turkish side was led by Acting Deputy Under-secretary of the Ministry of Economy Husnu Dilemre and included senior officials from relevant Turkish departments.
At conclusion of the session, the two sides signed the Terms of Reference (TORs) for FTA negotiations.
The next round of the negotiations would be held in Islamabad in December 2015.
APP
