Asian assembly aspires to grow into 'Asian Parliament'

By Selin Calik Muhasilovic

ISTANBUL

Head of an international assembly of lawmakers of several Asian nations has expressed hope that their association will transform into a joint parliament of Asian nations, one that resembles the European Parliament.

"The Asian Parliamentary Assembly [APA] was established in 2006 and now we aim to evolve this structure into an Asian Parliament like the European Parliament," Mohammad Reza Majidi, APA secretary-general, told Anadolu Agency.

Majidi also voiced gratitude for the support Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Parliament Speaker Binali Yildirim have extended for APA.

"President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Turkish Parliament Speaker Binali Yildirim's support make this organization valuable," Majidi said.

APA was established in 2006 at the Seventh Session of the Association of Asian Parliamentary for Peace, and it has 41 member parliaments and 17 observers.