ISLAMABAD, 29 June 2006 — Pakistani and Turkish defense officials yesterday agreed to boost cooperation in the field of military training and identify new areas to undertake joint ventures.
An understanding was reached at the two-day meeting of the Pakistan-Turkey high-level military dialogue group (HLMDG), which went under way in the garrison town of Rawalpindi yesterday.
Pakistan’s Secretary Defense Tariq Waseem Ghazi and Turkish Deputy Chief of Gen. Staff Gen. Isik Kosanor led their respective delegations at the talks.
The 14-member Turkish delegation headed by Gen. Kosanor arrived in Islamabad Tuesday to participate in the fourth meeting of the HLMDG, which is to conclude today.
“The two sides decided to increase cooperation in the field of military training and to identify news areas to undertake joint ventures in defense field,” said a statement issued by the Defense Ministry after the first day of talks.
“Our relations (in defense field) need to be further strengthened,” Ghazi said while addressing the meeting. Gen. Kosanor expressed the hope that the HLMDG would provide further impetus to expanding defense ties between the two countries.
Pakistani officials also gave a comprehensive presentation to the Turkish delegation on regional security scenario with reference to the role of the country’s armed forces in combating terrorism.
Meanwhile, commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces Maj. Gen. Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Bin Haji Yussof held a meeting with the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Gen. Ehsanul haq at the Joint Staff Committee headquarters. The Brunei military delegation is on a five-day visit to Pakistan. The members of the delegation also visited the Defense Export Promotion Organization in Rawalpindi yesterday.
Journalists Protest
Journalists in the North West Frontier Province have opposed the government’s move to hold proceedings into the murder of journalist Hayatullah Khan in camera.
At a conference held for the slain journalist in Peshawar yesterday, newsmen said they would not accept the holding of the judicial panel proceedings in camera.
