Islamabad - Deputy Chief of Turkish General Staff, General Yasar Guler, on Thursday said that Pakistan and Turkey have a great scope and lot of potential in defence collaboration, aircraft manufacturing, engineering, repair and refurbishment.
He passed these comments during his visit to the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex Kamra along with Turkish defence delegation.
On the occasion, the delegation showed keen interest in the top of the line JF-17 Thunder Aircraft being built at Kamra. They had a look at the facility and appreciated the skill and technical level of the workers and engineers.
The delegation is visiting Pakistan to attend the 10th Round of High Level Military Dialogue Group (HLMDG) meeting, which was concluded on the 3rd day between Pakistan and Turkey in the Ministry of Defence.
Lt Gen (Retd) Alam Khattak, Secretary Defence, was leading the Pakistani delegation whereas the Turkish delegation was headed by General Yasar GULER, Deputy Chief of Turkish General Staff, Ministry of National Defence.
During these talks, both the sides discussed regional matters of security and discussed the security paradigm. They appreciated the extent of defence industrial cooperation and desired to expand it to strategic level.
Turkey and Pakistan have been cooperating in training and exercises and Turkish Navy’s participation in Aman Exercise has been significant in the past.
It was agreed that an Interim Progress Review will be conducted by both sides in April-May 2015 through diplomatic channels.
It may be recalled here that the forum of HLMDG was established in 2001 for promoting defence collaboration between both brotherly countries. The 9th Round of HLMDG was held in Ankara, Turkey in October 2013.
Under the umbrella of HLMDG, two Sub-Groups are formed, namely (a) Defence Industry Working Group under Ministry of Defence Production and (b) Politico Military Working Group under Joint Staff Headquarters.
The next meeting is scheduled to be held in Ankara next year which will further the process of collaboration and cooperation. Both the sides impressed upon implementation of various decisions in true letter and spirit.