Pak for long term sustainable defence ties with France
By Adnan Rafique

RAWALPINDI—Senior Federal Minister and Minister for Defence Rao Sikandar Iqbal has said that Pakistan attaches greater significance to its relations with France and wants to maintain a long term sustainable defence cooperation with France.
He said this during a meeting with French defence delegation, led by Mr DE Lajugie, DGA Directorate International Development of France which called on the minister here Thursday. Both sides underlined the need for promoting closer defence cooperation between the two countries.
The minister highlighted the contribution made by France in construction oo Agosta submarine and hoped that France would continue to strengthening the defence Industry of Pakistan.
Earlier, the delegation held its meeting with the senior defence officials of Ministry of Defence Production. The meeting was co-chaired by Secretary Defence Production, Lt Gen Shahid Siddiq Tirmizey (Retd) and Mr De Lajugie, DGA Directorate International Development of France.
The meeting discussed an reviewed various aspects of defence cooperation between the two countries. The meeting identified different of defence cooperation and underscored the need for closer collaboration between the two countries. The Secretary informed the delegation about the defence requirements of Pakistan Mr de Lajugie said that France would not only positively consider the defence requirements of Pakistan but also assured that the Pak-Franco Joint Committee would soon undertake numbers of Joint Ventures related to Defence production. The Secretary greatly appreciated the contribution made by France towards strengthening the defence infrastructure of Pakistan.