ISLAMABAD, May 8: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has said that Pakistan is keen to improve its navy as the country has an important role to play in ensuring international maritime traffic and supply of oil because of its location at the mouth of the Gulf.

Talking to Spanish Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Sebastian Zaragoza Soto, who called on him at the Prime Minister’s House on Monday, Mr Aziz emphasised the need to strengthen bilateral relations, especially between the navies of the two countries in view of the fact that both had similar and compatible equipment.

The prime minister said Pakistan was a peaceful country and its defence doctrine aimed at maintaining minimum credible defence to ensure peace in the region.

The country was keen to promote peace not only in its region but also across the world, he said, adding that it was the largest contributor to peacekeeping efforts of the United Nations.

Mr Aziz said Pakistan played a stabilising role in the region.

The Spanish navy chief said there was vast scope of cooperation between the navies of the two countries and his visit was aimed at exploring further avenues of cooperation.