Phase of ‘boosting’ defence ties has come: Akar

ISLAMABAD: Turkish chief of the general staff (COGS) general Hulusi Akar called on prime minister (PM) Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Thursday, whereat Akar said that there was a need to further increase cooperation at the defence level with focus on increasing contacts, training and joint exercises.

According to an official statement, Akar conveyed the greetings of Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan to PM Abbasi and expressed satisfaction at the high level contacts between the two countries.

Akar appreciated that the two brotherly countries supported each other within all international and regional organisations on issues of mutual interest. Abbasi, while reciprocating the greetings of Turkish leadership stated that the governments and people of Pakistan and Turkey enjoy exemplary fraternal relations.

He expressed satisfaction over bilateral defence cooperation between the two countries and briefed Akar on Pakistan’s successful counter-terrorism (CT) efforts.

Both sides reiterated for close and cordial ties and emphasised the need to further enhance and strengthen brotherly relations.

Defence minister Khurram Dastgir was also present on the occasion.