ISLAMABAD - Terming the MoU on Australia-Pakistan Development Partnership as major step towards cementing the bilateral relations, President Asif Ali Zardari on Monday hoped for further pacts between the two countries in other possible areas of cooperation. While talking to a visiting delegation from Australia, the President called for further enhancing Australia-Pakistan bilateral partnership in all fields particularly defence, trade, investment, agriculture, energy and education sectors. Australian Defence Minister Senator John Faulkner headed the delegation that included Dr Ian Watt, Secretary, Department of Defence, Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston, Chief of Australian Defence Force, Tim George, Australian High Commissioner in Islamabad and other relevant officials. President was aided by Defence Minister Ch Ahmad Mukhtar, Minister for Defence Production Abdul Qayyum Khan Jatoi, Secretary General to the President M Salman Farouqi, Secretary Defence, Lt Gen (R) Syed Athar Ali, Secretary Foreign Affairs, Salman Bashir, Spokesperson to the President Farhatullah Babar and senior government officials. Matters regarding bilateral relations, Pakistans fight against militancy and extremism and regional situation were discussed during the meeting. The President thanked the Australian government for enhancing development assistance to A$120m over two years, offering defence post- graduate scholarship and providing 100 scholarships in the field of agriculture. The President said that Pakistan is committed to curb militancy and violent extremism at every cost and said that our successes and sacrifices are vivid reflection of our focus on eliminating the scourge. Australian Defence Minister also appreciated Pakistans commitment to eliminate militancy and assured continued support of the Australian Governments to Pakistan in fighting the menace of terrorism. Agencies add: Both the countries signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to increase bilateral defence cooperation. Defence Minister Ch Ahmed Mukhtar and Australian Defence Minister Senator John Faulkner signed the MoU on behalf of their respective countries here at the Ministry of Defence. The accord envisages promoting interaction between the Armed Forces of the two countries. It also provided to double the training package for the officers of the Armed Forces of Pakistan by the Australian side. Earlier, the delegation, led by Australian Defence Minister, called on Mukhtar and exchanged views on various aspects of defence cooperation, says a Press release. The Minister briefed his Australian counterpart about the social, economic and psychological impact of the war on terror on Pakistan, saying that Pakistan was bearing the brunt and suffered a lot while countering the terrorist forces. He said that the requirements, needed to defeat terrorism, were getting more and more sophisticated with each passing day and Pakistan needed the support of friendly countries to eliminate terrorism and extremism. Senator John Faulkner said that his country fully realised Pakistans difficulties and would continue to support its anti-terror endeavours. He said that Australia recognised Pakistans efforts and sacrifices as its role was highly crucial to the defeat and uproot terrorist elements. The meeting was attended by Secretary Defence, Lt Gen (r) Syed Athar Ali, Rear Admiral Shah Sohail Masood, Defence Ministry Addl Secretary and other senior military and defence officials of Pakistan.