ANTALYA: The fourth conference of speakers of Parliaments of Afghanistan, China, Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, Russia and Turkey concluded in Antalya, Turkey with an adaptation of a joint statement, known as the Antalya Declaration.
On Speaker Asad Qaiser’s initiative, the Antalya Declaration recognised Pakistan’s principled position on the resolution of Jammu and Kashmir dispute between India and Pakistan in line with the UNSC resolutions.
The conference also stressed the need for all States to avoid politicization of Financial Action Task Force (FATF), a tactic that India continuously employs against Pakistan.
The Antalya Declaration also adopted Pakistan’s iteration that COVID-19 vaccines must be made affordable for the developing nations so as to ensure access of vulnerable populations to vaccines.
National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser led a Parliamentary delegation to participate in the fourth Speakers Conference on “Countering Terrorism and Strengthening Regional Connectivity” in Antalya. The delegation comprised Parliamentarians from both Senate and National Assembly of Pakistan.
At the Conference, Asad Qaiser highlighted that connectivity was the foundation stone of regional integration and cooperation. He also shared his concerns on the rising xenophobia, Islamophobia, discrimination and intolerance around the world.
On the sidelines of the Conference, the Parliamentary delegation of Pakistan also held meetings with Turkey, Afghanistan and Iraq, in which steps to boost regional cooperation and integration were discussed.
