Pakistan, Turkey to cement inter-parliamentary ties

By Aamir Latif

KARACHI, Pakistan (AA) - Turkey’s Grand National Assembly and Pakistan’s National Assembly on Tuesday inked a protocol to strengthen inter-parliamentary relations between the two countries.

The protocol was signed in the capital Islamabad on the sidelines of the second General Conference of the Parliamentary Assembly of Economic Cooperation Organization (PAECO) by Speaker of the Turkish Grand National Assembly Mustafa Sentop and Speaker of Pakistan's National Assembly Asad Qaiser, said a statement by the National Assembly Speaker’s Office.

According to the protocol, the two assemblies agreed in principal to exchange information and views on matters related to the bilateral relations as well as on regional and international matters.

It was further agreed that both parliaments would also support and encourage reciprocal visits and contacts between delegations of the lawmakers, and enhance contacts between Standing Committees of the Parliaments.

Strengthening the Inter-parliamentary Friendship Groups of Pakistan and Turkey has also been part of the protocol.

The protocol will come into effect on the date of its signature and remain in force for an indefinite period of time unless terminated by either parliament, the statement added.

Talking to his Pakistani counterpart, Sentop said that exploring possibilities of mutual cooperation amongst the regional states is imperative for progress and prosperity.

He said the simmering issues of Kashmir, Palestine and Cyprus were close to Turkey and it would always extend its diplomatic and moral support for their peaceful resolution, according to the statement.

Qaiser, for his part, thanked Ankara for its invariable support to Islamabad on all the regional and international forums.