APA Offers Opportunity to Improve Asian Cooperation

The Asian Parliamentary Assembly offers an opportunity to discuss expansion of economic relations and cooperation in various sectors among Asian countries, Iran's top lawmaker said.
Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani made the statement on Saturday upon his arrival in Turkey to attend the 12th plenary meeting of the assembly at the head of a parliamentary delegation.
Speaking to reporters, he stressed that the influence of Asian countries has risen in the current century. 
"Over the past few decades, Asian countries have achieved significant breakthroughs in science, technology, trade and political problem-solving," Larijani was quoted as saying by ISNA. 
The Iranian speaker noted that governments and parliaments of these countries have also realized the importance of intra-Asian relations and designed frameworks for cooperation such as Shanghai Cooperation Organization and APA. 
"APA has made great efforts to create opportunities for trade and scientific cooperation as well as a platform for consultation on security issues and sustainable security over the past few years," Larijani said, adding that the same targets will be pursued during the present plenary.  
APA was established in 2006 at the seventh session of the Association of Asian Parliamentary for Peace. It has 42 parliaments and 16 observers.
The assembly has been created as a forum to exchange views and experiences for developing common strategies and promoting peace in the world, especially Asia, according to its website.
APA comprises the plenary, Executive Council, Bureau of the Assembly, the committees and secretariat.
The plenary may approve decisions, resolutions and declarations, or submit reports on general policies of APA and on subjects related to its activities.