ANTALYA, TURKEY, 9 October 2018: Mr. Saleem Mandviwalla, Deputy Chairman Senate, who is leading a Parliamentary
delegation consisting of Senators Mohsin Aziz, Khush Bakht Shujat, Naseebullah
Bazai, and Members National Assembly Junaid Akbar and Arbab Amir Ayub to the 3rd
Meeting of the Speakers of Eurasia Countries’ Parliaments (MSEAP) had bilateral
meetings with the Speaker of Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA) Mr. Binali
Yildirim, Speaker of the Parliament of Iran Dr. Ali Larijani, Deputy Speaker of
the Upper House of the Russian Federation Parliament Mr. Ilyas Umakhanov and Speaker
of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Mr. Teberruken Ulucay.
In a meeting marked with great warmth and friendship, the
Honourable Binali Yildirim, Speaker of TGNA welcomed the Pakistan delegation
and reiterated the abiding ties of friendship and brotherhood between the two
countries. “Truly speaking, Pakistan is a country that the Turkish nation loves
the most among all other countries,” he said. All aspects of Pakistan-Turkey
bilateral relations were discussed. He congratulated the people of Pakistan on
the successful general elections and hoped to work with the Government of Prime
Minister Imran Khan for taking Pakistan-Turkey into new heights. Speaker Binali
Yildirim observed that the Pakistan-Turkey Free Trade Agreement process has to
be concluded in an expeditious, fair and win-win basis. He informed that Mr.
Ali Shaheen, who is graduate of Karachi University and a great friend of
Pakistan, has been appointed Chairman of Turkey-Pakistan Friendship Group in
Turkish Parliament, while other members of the friendship group would be
announced soon. He also expressed gratitude for the sincere solidarity that
Pakistan had shown for Turkish democratic institutions during the 15 July 2016
coup attempt. 
Deputy Chairman Saleem Mandviwalla thanked Speaker Binali
Yildirim for his sentiments and said that Turkey was a true and reliable friend
of Pakistan, saying “we cherish this exemplary friendship.” He also thanked
Turkey for extending prompt and extensive assistance to Pakistan to deal with
natural calamities such as the October 8, 2005 earthquake and the 2010 floods.
He appreciated Turkey’s steadfast support for Pakistan at Financial Action Task
Force. He extended Speaker Binali Yidirim a cordial invitation to visit
Pakistan.
During meeting with Dr. Ali Larijani, the dignitary
congratulated Pakistan on recent elections and conveyed best wishes to the people
and Prime Minister Imran Khan. He said that Pakistan was a brother and a friend
and Iran had always worked for best of relations with it. He hoped that
relations would further improve in all spheres particularly in political and
economic field with the coming of the new Government in Pakistan. He recalled
that he visited Pakistan to attend Speakers Conference in December 2017 and
stated that Iran was planning to host the next conference sometime in December
this year.
Deputy Chairman Senate reciprocated the sentiments conveyed
by Dr. Ali Larijani and said that Pakistan does not consider Iran to be a foreign
country. Pakistan has deep rooted historical, cultural and religious ties with
Iran. He stressed that Pakistan was desirous of enhancing economic ties and in
this regard both countries may explore avenues including a look at existing
projects including in the energy sector. Speaker Larijani also stressed the
need for completion of such projects and for finding ways and means to allow
the two countries to do business.
In a wide-ranging conversation between Saleem Mandviwallah
and Ilyas Umakhanov, both sides conducted
an overview of bilateral relations, particularly parliamentary relations.
Russian Deputy Speaker felicitated Pakistan on the successful elections and
hoped to further improve existing ties with the new government. Deputy Chairman
Saleem Mandviwalla mentioned various measures taken by both sides to enhance
economic relations. He also had an in-depth discussion on the MSEAP forum, its
possible future direction and how Pakistan could contribute to it.
In
the meeting with Speaker of TRNC Mr. Teberruken
Ulucay, the two sides discussed the need to enhance
business and trade relations. Speaker Ulucay took the opportunity to brief
Saleem Mandviwalla of the status of efforts to resolve the Cyprus issue.
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