ISLAMABAD, April 25: Australian High Commissioner Howard Brown, French Ambas-sador M. Yannick Gerard and Turkish envoy H. Kemal Gur separately called on Senate Chairman Muhammedmian Soomro here on Friday in the Parli-ament House.

During meetings, matters relating to bilateral cooperation, regional and international situation, parliamentary cooperation and possibilities of strengthening cultural, industrial and economic ties came under discussion.

The Australian high commissioner delivered a letter of congratulation, jointly singed by Australian House of Representatives’ Speaker Neil Andrew and Senate President Paul Calvert, to Mr Soomro on his election.

Reciprocating the gesture, the Senate chief asked the high commissioner to convey his best wishes to both the Australian high officials.

He said Pakistan and Australia enjoyed friendly ties and shared perceptions on a wide range of issues.

On the occasion, possibilities of cooperation in engineering, banking, information technology, copper and coal mining, petroleum and dairy industry, education and services sector were explored.

Muhammedmian Soomro said Pakistan would welcome parliamentary exchanges as interaction between legislators of the two countries would help them benefit from each other’s experiences.

France Ambassador M. Yannick Gerard also congratulated Mr Soomro on the assumption of the Senate chairmanship.

During this meeting also, working of the Senate as well as exchanges of parliamentary delegations came under discussion.

The Senate chief briefed the French envoy on the working of the upper house and said standing committees of the Senate would be formed shortly.

He told Mr Gerard that for the first time, the national budget would be discussed in the upper house of parliament.

During the meeting with the Turkish Ambassador, Muhammedmian Soomro said Pakistan and Turkey enjoyed close, excellent and time-tested brotherly relations.

The envoy said Pakistan was like second home to the Turkish people who had special attachment with Pakistan and its people.—APP