ISLAMABAD -- Turkish Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan flew into Islamabad Sunday for talks with Pakistani leaders on regional and global issues and to explore ways to boost trade ties between the two Muslim states, officials said.

Erdogan, who is on his first visit to Pakistan after assuming office in March, was received by Defense Minister Rao Sikandar Iqbal and senior government officials, AFP reported.

He will hold talks with Prime Minister Zafarullah Jamali later and also meet President Pervez Musharraf on Monday.

Erdogan, who is accompanied by MPs, senior ministers and more than 100 businessmen will discuss economic, bilateral, regional and international issues with the Pakistani leadership.

The two sides will also discuss the security environment in the region, officials said.

"The visit is a manifestation of strong desire of the two countries to reinforce the existing ties of friendship and cooperation to their mutual advantage in the years ahead," a foreign ministry statement said.

During his three day stay, the two countries will sign three agreements to further strengthen and institutionalize cooperation in combating drug trafficking, facilitate overland transportation of trade convoys and protection of environment, it said.

Pakistan and Turkey have been working closely at international forums on issues of mutual interest.

"Turkey has been consistently supporting Pakistan's principled position on the Kashmir dispute" with India, it said.

Pakistan has been endorsing efforts of the Turkish government for resolution of the ongoing problem in Cyprus, it said.

Bilateral trade stood at about 170 million dollars out of which Pakistan’s exports were about 70 million dollars only.

"Both countries need to take aggressive steps to boost economic and trade interaction. We hope the upcoming visit would give a meaningful push in that direction," a foreign ministry official said.