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Pakistan, US officials review defence cooperation
ISLAMABAD: Pakistani and the United States defence officials met from June 7-10 at Pakistan's Joint Staff Headquarters in Rawalpindi to discuss issues of common interest under the rubric of the strategic dialogue process.The defence-working group, known as an Exchange on Defence Planning, was the first sectoral working group within the framework of the strategic dialogue since the Ministerial level U.S.-Pakistan strategic dialogue meeting held in Washington, D.C., in March this year.
The Pakistan side was led by Lt. Gen. Athar Ali (retd), Pakistan's Secretary of Defence, and the US side was co-chaired by Mr. David Ochmanek, US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defence for Force Development; and Mr. David Sedney, US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defence for Afghanistan, Pakistan and Central Asia.
Both sides were assisted by officers from relevant departments and ministries, says a press release issued by the US Embassy here on Thursday.
Both sides discussed and reviewed cooperation in Defence relations, focused on the mutual challenges associated with multi-year cooperation between Pakistan and the US, and reviewed mechanisms for prioritizing and integrating security and defence capability requirements.
They also exchanged views on security cooperation and areas of potential future cooperation between the two sides.
The US delegation praised Pakistan's efforts in addressing the threat of violent extremism and recognized the courage and extraordinary sacrifices made by Pakistan's military, law enforcement agencies and the public in the fight against violent extremism.
The Pakistani side also expressed appreciation for the US support and assistance provided to Pakistan's security forces in the fight against extremism.
The talks were held in a cordial and friendly atmosphere and both parties agreed to meet again in a follow-on exchange of defence planning.
Courtesy www.Geo.tv