ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Turkey agreed on Thursday to negotiate a comprehensive bilateral strategic framework agreement for promoting bilateral cooperation.

This was announced at the end of a two-day meeting of the High Level Military Dialogue Group.

At the talks, the Pak­istani side was led by Defence Secretary retired Lt Gen Zamirul Hasan Shah, whereas Gen Umit Dundar, Deputy Chief of Turkish General Staff, led the visiting delegation.

No details were given about the proposed agreement except for a single-line announcement that the accord would “encompass all facets of cooperation”.

The two countries already have High Level Strategic Cooperation Council, which the two sides say is meant to reflect the strategic nature of their relations.

At the talks, the two sides reviewed mutual defence and security cooperation and exchanged views on prevailing regional environment, particularly with reference to Afghanistan and the Middle East.

Defence cooperation between Pakistan and Turkey has increased manifold over the past few years.

“Delegation leaders resolved to work together for enhanced cooperation in defence and security related fields,” a joint statement issued at the end of the meeting said.

Gen Dundar also met Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Gen Zubair Hayat, Chief of the Army Staff Gen Qamar Bajwa and Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman.

“Matters relating to defence cooperation covering training, exchange of visits and co-production of defence equipment were discussed in these meetings,” a statement said.

The ISPR said that Gen Bajwa and Gen Dundar at their meeting agreed to optimise military-to-military ties, particularly in training and counterterrorism domain.

Published in Dawn, January 27th, 2017