Turkish parliament has formed the most inter-parliamentary friendship groups with parliaments in African countries.
During the 27th term of the parliament since June 24, the parliament has formed a total of 46 friendship groups with African parliaments.
Oceania was the region with the least friendship groups formed -- only two.
The parliament has formed inter-parliamentary friendship groups with 38 countries in Asia, 36 countries in Europe, and 19 countries in the Americas.
Turkish Vice-President Fuat Oktay met on Wednesday with high-level Sudanese leaders in the East African country’s capital of Khartoum.Oktay was accepted by Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir with whom he held a closed-door meeting.He also met the country's Parliamentary Speaker Ibrahim Ahmed Omar to discuss means of enhancing cooperation between the two countries. Speaking before Sudan’s national assembly, Oktay thanked Omar for his “hospitable” reception and expressed his pleasure with meeting representatives of the Sudanese people. 'Turkey seeking new cooperation for mutual benefit’Pointing to Sudan’s “significant potential” in the agriculture and stockbreeding sectors, Oktay said that Turkey hopes to share its considerable experience in both fields with Sudan. He also noted Turkey’s many energy and mining projects now underway in Sudan, pointing in particular to the restoration of Sudan’s historical Suakin Island.“Our primary goal is to improve trade,” the vice-president said. “Bilateral trade [between Turkey and Sudan] currently stands at less than $500 million, which is low for countries with good relations at both the presidential and public levels.”“All these projects will bring us closer to our goal,” Oktay said. Video: Turkish VP meets Sudanese premier in KhartoumHe went on to assert that Sudan’s national assembly, which enjoys oversight of the projects, must closely follow the progress of these initiatives with a view to serving the interests of the Sudanese people. The Sudanese people, Oktay asserted, “are like brothers to Turkey”."We’re ready to share everything with Sudan, including experience and know-how,” he said. “We’re serious about doing business and our [Sudanese] counterparts share this seriousness.”He added: “But we have to move faster if we want results.” Omar, for his part, expressed his pleasure with hosting Oktay and his accompanying delegation. He pointed out that Sudanese officials had promised to develop relations with Turkey during a visit to Khartoum last year by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. “We are closely following developments in the region -- and in Europe, Asia and Africa -- and are aware of the role Turkey is playing,” Omar said.“We hope Sudan will be Turkey's most important partner in Africa,” he added. “And we can achieve this by joining forces.” Oktay is being accompanied on his visit by Turkish Agriculture and Forestry Minister Bekir Pakdemirli; Trade Minister Ruhsar Pekcan; Deputy Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Mithat Cansiz; Turkish Ambassador toKhartoum Irfan Neziroglu; and Serdar Cam, chairman of Turkish aid agency TIKA. *Ali Murat Alhas contributed to this report from Ankara
Turkish VP meets Sudanese president, parliament speaker
The Turkish parliament has formed friendship groups with its neighboring countries including Iraq, Iran, Georgia and Bulgaria. However, the parliament has not formed the groups with Greece, Syria and Armenia.
It also did not form groups with Israel, Libya, Egypt and the Netherlands.
Relations between Turkey and the Netherlands plunged ahead of the April 2017 presidential referendum in Turkey, when Dutch authorities canceled the flight permit of a plane carrying Cavusoglu.
Rallies by Turks there in favor of constitutional changes to shift Turkey to an executive presidential system also faced tremendous restrictions from both central and local governments.
Turkey held elections on June 24, and the lawmakers of 27th term of parliament were elected.