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Turkish delegation holds defence talks
APP
ISLAMABAD: A 15-member high level Turkish defence delegation headed by Deputy Chief of Turkish General Staff General Yasar Guler attended the first round of the 10th meeting of Pak-Turkey High Level Military Dialogue Group (HLMDG) on Tuesday. Defence Secretary Lt Gen (r) Muhammad Alam Khattak headed the delegation from Pakistan’s side, said a press release. General Yasar Guler, in a meeting with the defence secretary, reiterated that the two countries enjoyed brotherly ties. “The relationship between the two countries is exemplary and deep rooted,” he added. Khattak also stressed the desire to deepen broaden and strengthen partnership with Turkey in every field. After a meeting with the defence secretary, a high level meeting took place between Defence Minister Khawaja Asif and Deputy Chief of Turkish General Staff Yasar Guler. Khawaja Asif conveyed felicitations on appointment of Recep Tayyip Erdogan as the new Turkish president. He highlighted the progress in ties during the visit of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to Turkey in April 2014 and a diverse range of 13 memoranda of understanding were signed during the visit. Asif added that both countries cooperated closely at regional and multinational fora, including UN, OIC, ECO and D8 and participation of Turkey in trilateral process on Afghanistan was a source of comfort for Pakistan. After the meeting with the defence minister, first round of HLMDG meeting commenced at the Ministry of Defence. During the opening remarks the defence secretary informed the renaming of the High Level Cooperation Council (HLCC) as high level Strategic Cooperation Council (HLSCC) which reflects the strategic nature of relationship. He expressed the desire to deepen, broaden and strengthen Pakistan’s partnership with Turkey. “We hope that the 10th HLMDG Meeting with further strengthen and express our existing Defence Relations”, he added. The session will resume on Wednesday for further briefing and discussions.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk