July 25, 2002	Thursday	Jamadi-ul-Awwal 14,1423

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ISLAMABAD, July 24: Secretary Defence Lt-Gen Hamid Nawaz Khan has said that the re-establishment of Defence Consultative Group (DCG) is an appropriate mechanism not only to revitalize the bilateral ties but also to institutionalize the process with a view to evolving deep rooted and sustained ties between the United States and Pakistan.

Talking to Colonel (S) Jeffery Paulk, leader of the US team who called on him on Wednesday, he said that certain platform is essential to ensure long-term defence cooperation through meaningful DCG process and facilitate the US to understand and provide assistance to meet the defence needs of Pakistan as well as for peace and prosperity of the region as a whole.

The US delegation is currently visiting Pakistan in connection with the two-day pre-defence Consultative Group meeting being held in Rawalpindi.

Mr Khan hoped that the US authorities would consider issues relating to release of withheld defence items resumption of defence cooperation in various fields including procurement of equipment and training, and military-to-military cooperation.

Col Paulk appreciated the revival of DCG and termed it a step in the right direction. He expressed hopes that DCG would help both countries in moving forward on the bilateral relations enabling things to further move faster.

In the concluding session of the Pre-DCG planning meeting both sides briefed each other on various issues of common interest and finalized the agenda for the DCG meeting to be held towards the end of the year.

Records of the proceedings of the meeting were also signed in the concluding session.