Prime Minister for enhanced Pak-German defence cooperation

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Friday said that German government's relaxation in its present policy of exports of small arms to Pakistan will strengthen Pakistan's capability to fight terrorism. He was talking to Dr. Franz Josef Jung, Minister for Defence of Germany who called on him here at the Prime Minister House this afternoon.
The Prime Minister said that Pakistan greatly values its relations with Germany which are based on mutual respect and shared perceptions on significant regional and international issues.
He said that Pakistan is firmly committed to fighting terrorism. He briefed the German defence minister in detail about Pakistan's three pronged strategy in this regard.
The Prime Minister stated that overwhelming majority of Pakistanis particularly the people in tribal and bordering areas with Afghanistan were supportive of the government's efforts in the war against terrorism.
He however called on the allied forces to desist from undertaking attacks on Pakistan's territory which only served to enhance sympathies for the terrorists among the general masses particularly among the people suffering from the collateral damage.
The Prime Minister welcomed the growing military and defence cooperation between the two countries and said that this would help in further strengthening relations between the two nations.
He noted that the high-level contacts are effective tools for strengthening cooperation between the two countries.
The Prime Minister urged for increased official exchanges and people to people contacts between Pakistan and Germany in the interest of adding substance to the relationship.
Dr. Jung assured the Prime Minister of his government's support in war against terrorism and endorsed Pakistan's current strategy in this war.
He also assured the Prime Minister that his government would consider the proposals made by Pakistan's side for increased defence cooperation between the two countries.-APP