Turkish parliament speaker congratulates Kazakhstan, Bahrain on Independence Day

By Emin Avundukluoglu

ANKARA (AA) - Turkey's parliament speaker Mustafa Sentop on Thursday congratulated Kazakhstan on the country's 31st Independence Day.

In a letter to his Kazakh counterpart Nurlan Nigmatulin, he said: "On the occasion of the Independence Day of the Republic of Kazakhstan, I sincerely congratulate the friendly and brotherly people of Kazakhstan on behalf of the members of the Turkish Grand National Assembly and myself."

Sentop reiterated that there were deep historical and cultural ties between Turkey and Kazakhstan.

"I convey my best wishes to the friendly and brotherly people of Kazakhstan as well as health, peace and prosperity, success and happiness to you and to all esteemed members of the Parliament of Kazakhstan," he said.

Kazakhstan declared its independence on Dec. 16, 1991 following the collapse of the Soviet Union.

- Bahrain

Sentop also congratulated Bahrain on the 50th anniversary of the country's independence.

"I sincerely congratulate the National Day of Bahrain on behalf of the Turkish Grand National Assembly and myself," Sentop wrote in his letter to Bahrain's Speaker of the Council of Representatives Fawzia Zainal.

"I believe that our relations, which have developed on the basis of friendship and brotherhood between our countries, will be further enriched by inter-parliamentary visits and contacts that we will intensify with our joint efforts," he said.

On Dec. 16, 1971, Bahrain acquired independence from British rule.