PNS,
PARIS, France: Dec 09 (PNS) – Pakistan and France on Monday agreed to further improve their defence ties and will hold a follow up meeting to discuss the modalities.
Minister for Information and Broadcasting Sheikh Rashid Ahmed briefing the newsmen about the talks between Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali and the French Minister for Defence Michelle Alliot-Marie said, wide ranging issues were discussed.
He said both Pakistan and France have long standing defence ties and will continue to cooperate, particularly in the air and naval areas. The talks also took into account the situation in the region.
He said French Naval Chief would soon visit Pakistan as a follow up of the meeting between Prime Minister Jamali and the French Defence Minister. To a question, he said Pakistan's defence requirements were also discussed and a team of Pakistani defence experts will soon visit France.
When asked about the confidence building measures between Pakistan and India, he said the French government has expressed satisfaction over the move towards normalisation of relations. The French defence minister particularly referred to the restoration of air and bus links between India and Pakistan.
Sheikh Rashid Ahmed said France has expressed concern over the situation in Afghanistan. He regretted the role of foreign media for not properly portraying Pakistan's front line role in the war against terrorism.
