Islamabad, May17th 2016: Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq has said that Pakistan was keen to forge strong bilateral relations with Portugal. He underlined the need for regular exchange of Parliamentary delegations to facilitate comprehensive bilateral engagements. He was speaking to Portuguese Charge de Affairs Mr. Joao Paulo Marques Sabido Costa who called on him at Parliament House, Islamabad on Tuesday.

While talking to him, the Speaker underlined the need for bilateral cooperation to explore the untapped opportunities and expand the scope of relations. The Speaker outlined that Pakistan was keen to collaborate with Sothern Europe in trade and economic affairs and deemed Portugal as a gateway to enhance cooperation and exchange of expertise in the field of Science and Information Technology.

Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq said that Portuguese expertise in energy generation through renewable energy resources could help Pakistan easing its energy crisis. The Speaker also emphasized on the need to promote tourism in both countries as people to people contacts were highly significant in cementing inter-state relations.

Portugal Charge de Affairs Mr. Joao Paulo Marques Sabido Costa highly endorsed Sardar Ayaz Sadiq’s proposal for expansion of trade and economic relations and added that relations with Pakistan in energy, tourism and education may form the basis for future cooperation. Exchange of Parliamentary delegations and business groups could create further avenues for cooperation, he added.