by Shafqat Ali

ISLAMABAD, Feb. 13 (China Economic Net) – Pakistan is set to invite Turkey to join the multi-billion-dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrives in Pakistan on a two-day visit.

Close aides of PM Khan told the China Economic Net that Pakistan wanted friendly countries to join the Corridor.

“We will definitely invite Turkey to join the CPEC. The CPEC is not just for Pakistan. It will benefit the whole region,” he said.

Another official said Turkey and other countries like Saudi Arabia have interest in the CPEC. “It is not a one-sided invitation. They have shown interest and we can go further. We will invite them as the iron brother of China,” he maintained.

The official said Iran was also interested in the CPEC and Pakistan wanted them to join too. “This is a regional project. All are welcome. We are of course more interested in the friendly countries as we have good working relations,” he remarked.

Prime Minister Imran Khan has already said that he will invite Turkey to join the CPEC projects.  Discussing the perception that Pakistan has ensnared itself in China’s ‘debt trap’, he said the debt from China was a very small part of the country’s total debt portfolio.

He called the debt trap claim unfounded. “We hope that when the Turkish delegation comes in a couple of weeks, we hope to involve them in using CPEC for further connectivity, and we hope to involve Turkey in this,” he said.

The Pakistan foreign ministry said President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will be visiting Pakistan from February 13-14. He will be accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising cabinet members and senior government officials, as well as heads and Chief Executive Officers of leading Turkish corporations.

During the visit, Prime Minister Imran Khan and President Erdogan will have tete-a-tete talks, after which they will co-chair the 6th Session of the Pakistan-Turkey High Level Strategic Cooperation Council (HLSCC) in the joint cabinet format. At the conclusion of the Session, a Joint Declaration will be signed. A number of important agreements are expected to be concluded. The two leaders will have a joint press stakeout.

President Erdogan will separately meet with President Dr Arif Alvi. President Erodgan will also address a joint session of Parliament of Pakistan. Together with Prime Minister Imran Khan, he will address the Pakistan-Turkey Business and Investment Forum which brings together leading investors and business-people from both sides.

The High Level Strategic Cooperation Council is the highest level decision-making forum, providing strategic direction to further strengthening of relations between the two countries.

CPEC is intended to rapidly upgrade Pakistan's required infrastructure and strengthen its economy by the construction of modern transportation networks, numerous energy projects, and special economic zones. A vast network of highways and railways are to be built under the aegis of CPEC that will span the length and breadth of Pakistan.