Pakistan and France to enhance Security Cooperation

Posted on July 27, 2012 By Nasir Mehmood اہم ترین

Pakistan and France to enhance Security Cooperation Meeting

Paris, July 26, 2012: (PRESS RELEASE) The French Government has reiterated its willingness to help Pakistan strengthen its security infrastructure in order to tackle internal threats from terrorist groups. This issue was discussed during a meeting between French Secretary General Defence and National Security Mr. Francis Delon and Foreign Secretary Jalil Abbas Jilani here today. The Foreign Secretary briefed French Secretary General on Pakistan’s National Security matters. The French side agreed to help and support Pakistan in building the capacity of its Law Enforcements Agencies.

The meeting was held in the context of Prime Minister’s visit to France last year when both the countries signed three Joint Declarations, one of which was on Security Cooperation. As follow up of the declaration, Pakistan-France Joint Security Commission was constituted, which held its first round of talks in last week of March this year. The next round is due to be held in Islamabad this year. The Foreign Secretary invited Mr. Delon to visit Islamabad, which he agreed to undertake in October this year.

The Foreign Secretary also called on Mr. Paul-Jean Ortiz, Foreign Policy Advisor to President Hollande. This was the first high level contact between Pakistan and new Socialist Government of France. The Foreign Secretary said that Pakistan enjoyed warm and cordial relations with the people and the Government of France. Mr. Ortiz reiterated firm resolve of French Government to withdraw its forces from Afghanistan through Pakistan. He said that the withdrawal will help finding peaceful solution to Afghan problem. The Foreign Secretary said that withdrawal of France Forces through Pakistan will benefit both the countries.

Later, the Foreign Secretary met a group of French journalists and briefed them about Pakistan’s bold decision to restore NATO supplies, the sacrifices offered by its law enforcement agencies, the losses inflicted upon Pakistan’s economy and civilian population due to its role in war on terror, current situation in Afghanistan and the region and the level of economic and security cooperation between Pakistan and France. In the evening, Foreign Secretary was guest at a dinner host by Ambassador Shafkat Saeed, at Embassy Residence, wherein high officials of French Ministries of Defence and Foreign Affairs, ambassadors and diplomats from various countries, intellectuals and other dignitaries were invited. Former Defence Foreign Minister Senator Jean Pierre CHEVENEMENT who is currently vice President of Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee of French Senate was also among the guests.