12 October 2004	Tuesday	26 Shaban 1425

RAWALPINDI, Oct 11: Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have agreed to strengthen bilateral military cooperation and to hold joint military exercises.

This was stated in an official announcement issued here on Monday after a meeting between the visiting Saudi defence delegation and officials of the Ministry of Defence.

The Pakistani and the Saudi teams were led respectively by Defence Minister Rao Sikandar Iqbal and Prince Khalid bin Sultan bin Abdul Aziz, Assistant Minister of Defence for Military Affairs.

The Saudi minister underlined the need for organising seminars by the armed forces of the two countries. Pakistan offered to train Saudi armed forces. The prince accepted the offer, the announcement said.

The two sides discussed a wide range of proposals on consolidating defence cooperation and agreed to hold joint military exercises and exchange visits of military officials to increase military interaction.

Additional Secretary of Defence Production Maj-Gen Ali Baz gave a presentation on potential joint ventures in the production of arms and ammunition, armoured fighting vehicles, including Anza missiles and Al Khalid tanks.

He told the Saudi delegation that Al Khalid tanks would be handed over for trial to Saudi Arabia next summer. He also briefed the Saudi prince about the benefits of the Pakistan-made Super Mashak aircraft to the Saudi air force.

Earlier, Rao Sikandar Iqbal welcomed the visiting dignitary and said that both the countries enjoyed good relationship and had unanimity of views on various regional and international issues.

Prince Khalid's visit, he said, would help in promoting mutual understanding between the two countries, especially in the field of defence. The meeting was also attended by Minister of State for Defence Zahid Hamid, Secretary Defence Lt-Gen (retd) Hamid Nawaz Khan, and other senior officials from the Ministry of Defence.

The Saudi delegation also called on Federal Minister for Defence Production Habibullah Waraich. Both sides discussed matter pertaining to military cooperation between the two countries.