Sharif receives the order of the Republic of Turkey

During a ceremony held at the Cankaya Presidential Palace, President Abdullah Gul bestowed the Order of the Republic Medal of Turkey on Nawaz Sharif, Prime Minister of Pakistan. Also present at the ceremony were First Lady Hayrunnisa Gul, Mrs. Begum Kalsoom Nawaz, Speaker of the Parliament Cemil Cicek, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, Finance Minister Mehmet Simsek and ministers of Pakistan. President Gul commended Mr Sharif, saying that even during the times when democracy was suspended in Pakistan, he acted with common sense, patience, self-devotion and patriotic feelings in order not to harm his country. In return, Mr Sharif expressed his honour in being granted the Order.