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Pakistan, US conclude defence talks

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Islamabad, June 11, IRNA -- Pakistani and the US defense officials concluded 4-day defence talks and discussed issues of common interest under the rubric of the strategic dialogue process, a joint statement said.

The defense working group, known as an Exchange on Defense Planning, was the first sectoral working group within the framework of the strategic dialogue since the Ministerial level US-Pakistan strategic dialogue meeting held in Washington, D.C., in March this year.

Both sides discussed and reviewed cooperation in Defense 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 defense capability requirements, the statement said.

They also exchanged views on security cooperation and areas of potential future cooperation between the two sides, it said.

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 statement said.

The June 7-10 at Pakistan’s Joint Staff Headquarters in Rawalpindi were held in a cordial and friendly atmosphere and both parties agreed to meet again in a follow-on exchange of defense planning, it added.

The Pakistan side was led by Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Athar Ali, Pakistan’s Secretary of Defense, and the US side was co-chaired by David Ochmanek, US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Force Development; and David Sedney, US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Afghanistan, Pakistan and Central Asia.

Both sides were assisted by officers from relevant departments and ministries.