ISLAMABAD: National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq said that Pakistan attached immense importance to Poland and wanted to take existing warm relations between the two countries to new heights through parliamentary and economic cooperation. He was talking to Republic of Poland Senate Chairman Stanislaw Karczewski along with his delegation at the Parliament House on Tuesday. The two sides undertook a comprehensive review of bilateral ties and discussed ways and means to enhance cooperation in diverse spheres, especially in the fields of economy, trade and commerce. Cooperation in energy, industry, investment, agriculture, science technology and innovation (STI), information and communication technology (ICT), education, culture, defence and parliamentary exchanges also came under discussion. They also deliberated on the emerging peace and security environment at regional and global level. Sardar Ayaz Sadiq said that Pakistan should benefit from the expertise of Poland in the sectors of industry and technology. “Polish investors should be urged to invest in the fields of agriculture, food processing, coal, energy and defence in Pakistan,” he added. The speaker said that Poland was an important country in Europe and both the countries should hold high level negotiations in political, economic and defence sectors. He said that Pakistan had been the worst victim of terrorism as it had sacrificed lives of more than 60,000 in gruesome acts of terrorism. The speaker also briefed on Pakistan’s efforts to reach out to neighbouring countries and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to constructively contribute towards the promotion of peace and stability in the region. He also highlighted Pakistan’s perspectives on challenges confronting the region, including the situation in Afghanistan. Ayaz Sadiq said that parliamentarians of both countries could play an important role in bringing the nations closer. He emphasised the need for enhancing cooperation and interaction between the parliaments and parliamentarians of both countries for exchange of views and experiences. He discussed the revival of Pak-Poland Friendship Group in National Assembly and extended parliamentary support in facilitating the Polish business community, if required. Poland Senate Chairman Stanislaw Karczewski, while thanking the speaker for his kind words, said his country also attached huge importance to Pakistan and wanted to revitalise its bilateral relations. He said his country strongly desired to enhance its parliamentary relations, apart from cooperation in other fields. He acknowledged Pakistan’s endeavours and sacrifices in the war on terror and applauded Pakistan’s role in addressing terrorism in the wider interest of global peace. He remarked that in recent years Pakistan had made great strides towards a broad-based democracy and its economy was witnessing great progress. He highlighted that there was immense scope for widening economic cooperation, bilateral trade and cultural exchanges, between the two countries. Published in Daily Times, November 8th 2017.