RAWALPINDI: Pakistan and Turkey on Thursday agreed to further optimize military to military ties particularly in training and counter terrorism domain.
According to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the agreement was reached during a meeting between Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa and General Umit Dundar, Deputy Chief of Turkish General Staff at General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi.
Matters of mutual and professional interest with special emphasis on defence and security collaboration between the two brotherly countries were discussed during the meeting. General Dundar appreciated Pakistan Army’s role for regional peace and stability and contributions towards defeating terrorism.
Meanwhile a two-day-12th round of Pakistan-Turkey high level Military Dialogue group meeting was concluded in Rawalpindi on Thursday. Secretary Defence Lt. General Retd Zamir-ul-Hassan shah led Pakistan delegation while Turkish delegation was led by Deputy Chief of staff General Umit Dundar.
Matters of mutual interest including whole spectrum of bilateral defence cooperation were discussed in the meeting. Prior to holding of Plenary Session, General Umit DUNDAR, had a meeting with Lt Gen (Retd) Zamir-ul-Hasan Shah. During the meeting, matters of mutual interest including whole spectrum of bilateral defence cooperation were discussed. Both leaders expressed their concern on terrorist attacks in Pakistan and Turkey. Secretary Defence apprised the visiting delegation about the successes achieved by Pakistan as a result of military Operation Zarb-e-Azb and National Action Plan.
Both sides deliberated upon various areas of interest, including security, counter terrorism and prevailing regional environment particularly with reference to Afghanistan and Middle East. In addition, delegations took stock of the measures that have been taken since last HLMDG meeting held in Turkey in October 2015.
General Umit DUNDAR also held meetings with the Minister for Defence, Chairman Joint Chief of Staff Committee, Chief of the Army Staff and Chief of the Air Staff. In all these meetings, matters relating to defence cooperation covering training, exchange visits and co-production of defence equipment were discussed.
The highlight of the HLMDG meeting was that both sides agreed to work for a Comprehensive Bilateral Strategic Framework Agreement which must encompass all facets of cooperation.
NNI/INP
