Speaker of Turkish Grand National Assembly visits New Zealand

The Speaker of Turkey’s Grand National Assembly, His Excellency Mr Cemil Çiçek, is visiting New Zealand as a guest of the New Zealand Parliament from this weekend.

The Speaker, who is travelling with his spouse and a delegation of four members of parliament, is looking to build on the important bi-lateral relationship between our two countries and to discuss current international issues and the commemorations to mark the 100th anniversary of WWI.

While in Wellington, Speaker Çiçek, will hold talks with the Prime Minister and New Zealand’s Speaker, observe Question Time in the House and meet with members of the NZ-Turkey Parliamentary Friendship Group. He will also meet with the Minister of Internal Affairs at the National Library, where Speaker Çiçek will view the exhibition “World War I – a contemporary conversation”.

New Zealand’s Speaker, Rt Hon David Carter, is pleased to host this visit.

“Visits of this kind serve to strengthen ties between countries and their parliaments, and provide opportunities for growing mutual understanding of parliamentary practices and the institution of Parliament. This visit comes at an especially important time for both our countries, with 2015 marking 100 years since ANZAC troops landed on the Gallipoli peninsula. I very much look forward to accompanying Speaker Çiçek to the Ataturk Memorial for a wreath-laying ceremony in acknowledgement of this important anniversary, following our official talks”.

The visit of the Speaker runs from 8-11 February.

ENDS

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