Pakistan, Turkey agree on joint defence production

IRNA
Islamabad, Oct 24, IRNA - Pakistan and Turkey have agreed to embark o 
joint ventures in defence production, officials have said. 
The two countries reached the agreement during the second meeting 
of the Pakistan-Turkey Military Dialogue Group concluded in Rawalpindi
Thursday, a statement of Pakistanm defence ministry said. 
According to the statement, the two sides held exhaustive 
deliberations "held in a cordial and frank atmosphere." 
The concluding session was co-chaired by Gen Ilker Basbug, Deputy 
Chief of the Turkish General Staff and Lt-Gen Hamid Nawaz Khan, 
Pakistan defence secretary. 
"Both said that the defence relations between the two brotherly 
countries were progressing well, and that they could once again see 
tangible evidence" of this in the form of practical action being 
undertaken on both sides," read the statement. 
It was also agreed at the meeting to carry forward the work on 
specific items into the working groups who will hold mid-term review 
meetings for speedy implementation of the decisions. 
"The offices of the military attaches in both the countries would 
be actively involved in this connection to monitor the progress and 
would be provided access to the focal points of the working groups." 
The two signed the minutes of the meeting on behalf of their 
respective governments. The next meeting of the group will be held in 
Ankara in 2004. 
Meanwhile Gen Ilker Basbug called on Pakistan defence minister Rao
Sikandar Iqbal and discussed with him matters relating to defence 
cooperation and bilateral affairs. 
The Turkish general apprised the minister of the ongoing defence 
cooperation between Pakistan and Turkey as well as the advancements 
made by Turkey in the production of defence equipment, local press 
reported. 
TK/TSH/211 
End
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