Turkey is true, reliable friend of Pakistan: deputy chairman senate

ISLAMABAD: Deputy Chairman Senate Saleem Mandviwalla on Tuesday said Turkey was a true and reliable friend of Pakistan.

“We cherish this exemplary friendship,” he said this in a meeting with Speaker of Turkish Grand National Assembly (GNA) Binali Yildirim in Antalya, Turkey, and discussed bilateral relations.

The deputy chairman is leading a parliamentary delegation to represent Pakistan at the 3rd Meeting of the Speakers of Eurasia Countries’ Parliaments (MSEAP) being held in Antalya.

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.

Binali Yildirim in his remarks reiterated the abiding ties of friendship and brotherhood between the two countries.

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“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.

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 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 July 15, 2016, coup attempt.

Mandviwala also held meetings with the speakers and deputy speakers of parliaments of other countries.

During meeting with Speaker Iranian Parliament Dr Ali Larijani, Saleem Mandviwalla said that Pakistan was desirous of enhancing economic with it.

The deputy chairman senate and Deputy Speaker of the Russian Parliament Ilyas Umakhanov conducted an overview of bilateral relations, particularly parliamentary relations.

The Russian deputy speaker hoped to further improve existing ties with the new Pakistani government.