Islamabad February 6, 2014: Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq has expressed his resolve to broaden and strengthen relationship of Pakistan with Hungary. He said that enhancing parliamentary contacts between legislatures of both the countries would add substance to the existing bilateral relations.  The Speaker was talking to Ambassador of Hungary Mr. Istvan Szabo, who called on him in Parliament House, this morning.

The Speaker said that Pakistan accords high priority to its relations with Hungary and wants to further diversify those ties through collaboration in other fields. He said that Pakistan appreciates Hungarian support to Pakistan for attaining GSP plus status and EU’s Autonomous Trade Preferences for Pakistan (ATPs). The Speaker said that Hungarian Mission in Pakistan should persuade Hungarian business community to take advantage of immense economic potential in Pakistan. He appreciated the contributions of MOL, the Hungarian company working in oil exploration sector in Pakistan.

The Speaker informed the Ambassador about the revival of Pak-Hungary Friendship Group in National Assembly. He said that Parliamentarians of both the countries could build bridges of friendship and bring both the countries more closer. He extended parliamentary support in facilitating the Hungarian business community, if required.

The Hungarian Ambassador Mr. Istvan Szabo while thanking the Speaker for his kind words said that his country also attaches immense importance to Pakistan and wants to revitalize its bilateral relations. He said that after the peaceful transition of power in Pakistan the importance of Parliament has increased manifold. He said that his country strongly desires to enhance its parliamentary relations apart from cooperation in other fields. He said that Hungary will continue its support to Pakistan in its socio-economic development initiatives.  He agreed that frequent people to people interaction would remove the negative perception about Pakistan.

Later, Mr. Burhan Muhammad, Ambassador of Indonesia called on Speaker National Assembly in Parliament House. Referring to the warm brotherly ties between both the countries, the speaker said that both the countries were attached in eternal bonds of religion, culture and brotherhood which needs to be taken to new heights. He stressed the need for enhancing parliamentary ties between legislatures of both the countries which would bring more intimacy. He also stressed the need for enhancing trade and cooperation between business communities of both the countries.

Mr. Burhan Muhammad, Indonesian Ambassador appreciated sentiments of the Speaker and said that Indonesia also considers Pakistan as its brother and an important economic partner. He agreed that the interaction between parliamentarians and business economic communities would enhance the understanding and business activity in both the countries. He informed the Speaker that Indonesia encourages import of various commodities from Pakistan especially fruits like mangoes and kinno. He said that a trade fair is being arranged in Jakarta this June for Pakistani entrepreneurs to display their goods for Indonesian market.  He appreciated the establishment of Pakistan-Indonesia Friendship Group in National Assembly of Pakistan. He said that it would be reciprocated in the Indonesian National Assembly after the new Assembly is in place after the general elections being held in April, 2014.