Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, right, welcomes Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan to Ankara, Turkey, Friday, Jan. 4, 2019. The two expected to discus bilateral and regional issues. (Presidential Press Service via AP, Pool)
The Associated Press
ANKARA, Turkey (AP) - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says his country will host the leaders of Pakistan and Afghanistan for a meeting geared toward bringing peace to Afghanistan.
Erdogan spoke Friday at a joint news conference with Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, who is making his first visit to Turkey since he came to power in August.
Erdogan said the trilateral meeting would take place in Istanbul after Turkey's March local election.
Khan told reporters he hoped the meeting would bring "badly needed peace" to Afghanistan.
Erdogan, meanwhile, welcomed Pakistan's decision to hand over schools affiliated with exiled cleric Fethullah Gulen to a Turkish government foundation. Turkey blames Gulen for a 2016 failed coup.
Khan on Thursday visited the tomb of the 13th-century Sufi mystic Jalaladdin Rumi in the city of Konya.
Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, left, and Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan inspect a military honour guard during a welcome ceremony, in Ankara, Turkey, Friday, Jan. 4, 2019. The two expected to discuss bilateral and regional issues. (Presidential Press Service via AP, Pool)
The Associated Press
Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, right, and Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan shake hands before a meeting, in Ankara, Turkey, Friday, Jan. 4, 2019. The two expected to discuss bilateral and regional issues. (Presidential Press Service via AP, Pool)
The Associated Press
Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, right, and Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan pose for the media before a meeting, in Ankara, Turkey, Friday, Jan. 4, 2019. The two expected to discuss bilateral and regional issues. (Presidential Press Service via AP, Pool)
The Associated Press