ANKARA,
29 March 2017: The commitment to further reinforce the special ties and growing
cooperation between Pakistan and Turkey was reaffirmed as the Speaker of the
National Assembly of Pakistan, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, called on President Recep
Tayyip Erdoğan in Ankara.
President
Erdoğan was accompanied by the
Speaker of the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA) Ismail Kahraman, Chairman
of Turkey-Pakistan Parliamentary Friendship Group Muhammet Balta, and other
senior Turkish officials. Speaker Ayaz Sadiq was accompanied by the Convener of
Pakistan-Turkey Friendship Group in the National Assembly, Pervaiz Malik, and Pakistan’s
Ambassador to Turkey Sohail Mahmood.
During
the meeting, Speaker Ayaz Sadiq conveyed cordial greetings of the leadership
and people of Pakistan and lauded the remarkable progress made by Turkey under
President Erdoğan’s
stewardship, adding that it was a shining example for the Muslim Ummah to
emulate. He also conveyed best wishes from Pakistan for Turkey’s enhanced political
development and economic progress in the future.
Reiterating
Pakistan’s strong solidarity with the Government and people of Turkey against
the heinous coup attempt on 15 July, the Speaker expressed deep admiration for
the historic resistance by the Turkish people – led from the front by President
Erdoğan – against the illegal
action, which served as an inspiration for people across the globe. He also
recalled his own interaction with the TGNA Speaker on the night of 15 July to
convey Pakistan’s unequivocal support and solidarity and highlighted the
unanimous Resolutions adopted, later, by the two Houses of Pakistan Parliament
in support of Turkey’s democracy and democratic institutions.
Speaker
Ayaz Sadiq highlighted the immense growth of Pakistan-Turkey relations under
the leadership of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and President Erdoğan. Stressing both sides’ resolve at the
highest level to bring the bilateral economic relationship at par with their
excellent political relations, the Speaker noted that the conclusion of the
Free Trade Agreement (FTA) would play a crucial role in this endeavor. The
Speaker also thanked Turkey for its growing investments in Pakistan, which were
making important contribution towards prosperity and development of both
countries.
The National
Assembly Speaker also apprised President Erdoğan of the pivotal role of the two Parliaments,
especially of the Pakistan-Turkey Parliamentary Friendship Groups, in following
the lead of the highest political leadership towards forging a robust
partnership between the two countries.
Extending
a warm welcome to the Speaker, President Erdoğan conveyed his greetings for President Mamnoon Hussein and Prime
Minister Nawaz Sharif. Noting the consistent growth in the multifaceted Turkey-Pakistan
relationship, President Erdoğan stressed
that steps should continue to be taken to take the political, economic, trade,
defence, defence industry, and cultural cooperation to newer levels. Recalling his
recent visit to Pakistan to attend the 13th Economic Coordination
Organization (ECO) Summit in Islamabad, he hoped that the momentum generated by
it would enable the regional countries to impart further depth to their
economic initiatives. President Erdoğan also reaffirmed Turkey’s full support and solidarity for Pakistan
on all issues and reiterated the resolve to further fortify bilateral ties.
Speaker
Sardar Ayaz Sadiq is visiting Turkey along with a Parliamentary delegation at
the invitation of TGNA Speaker Ismail Kahraman. He had, earlier, called on Prime
Minister Binali Yildrim and exchanged views a wide range of issues pertaining
to Pakistan-Turkey relations.
The Speaker
had also held extensive consultations with his Turkish counterpart, during
which the two sides inter alia discussed
ways of further intensifying collaboration between the two Parliaments. He had also
visited the bombed part of the Turkish Parliament and paid tributes to the
martyrs of the 15 July coup attempt in Turkey.
During
the Istanbul leg of his visit to Turkey, the Speaker would have broad
interaction with Turkish dignitaries and business representatives.
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