NA Chair Dahal holds meeting with Turkish Speaker Kurtulmus in Istanbul

Kathmandu, April 19: Narayan Prasad Dahal held a meeting with Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey Numan Kurtulmus on the sidelines of the 152nd Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly in Istanbul.

Chair Dahal, who is currently in Istanbul to attend the IPU meeting, discussed bilateral relations, cooperation, and parliamentary collaboration between Nepal and Turkey, according to his secretariat.

During the meeting, Dahal stressed the need to further strengthen and deepen relations between the two countries. He expressed interest in expanding parliamentary exchanges, increasing high-level visits, and forming a parliamentary friendship group.

He also noted that Nepal and Turkey have maintained diplomatic relations for six decades and urged the Turkish side to consider establishing a Turkish Embassy in Kathmandu to further enhance bilateral ties.

Dahal also thanked the Turkish government and parliament for their hospitality during the IPU Assembly.

Similarly, Speaker Kurtulmus welcomed the Nepali delegation and said Turkey is committed to strengthening relations with Nepal. He also expressed openness to establishing a Turkish embassy in Nepal.

He informed that Turkey currently provides a limited number of scholarships for Nepali students and pledged to consider increasing the quota as well as boosting bilateral trade.

The Turkish Speaker also noted that the COP-31 climate conference is scheduled to be held in Turkey in November and requested Nepal’s support for its successful leadership.