CJCSC Gen. Tariq Majid in Italy for Bilateral Defence Talks

[Abu Zolfiqar]

Wednesday, 10 March 2010
Rabi-ul-Awwal 23, 1431

Rome (Italy): General Tariq Majid, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) who is on an official visit to Italy for Bilateral Defence Talks on the invitation of his counterpart, spent a busy day at Rome and held extensive talks with top brass of Italian Armed Forces to include Chief of the Italian Defence General Staff, General Vincenzo Camporini.

On arrival, the CJCSC was received by General Camporini and presented guard of honour by a smartly turned out Italian Armed Forces contingent. The talks deliberating on bilateral cooperation were held in a very cordial and friendly atmosphere between the high level defence officials from both sides headed by General Camporini and General Tariq.

Later during the meeting both sides also shared each others' security perspectives to develop a common insight into the strategic environment and the evolving scenarios.

Lauding the contribution and efforts of Italian troops in striving to bring peace and stability to Afghanistan and the region, General Tariq thanked the people and government of Italy for its forthright and proactive support to Pakistan in diverse fields especially for development assistance, canceling and swapping the official debt of US$185 Million, soft loan of 7.75 Million for SME promotion in Pakistan, provision of relief goods worth 3.6 Million Euros and announcement of 2.5Million Euros to be disbursed to the Internally Displaced Persons, support at Friends of Democratic Pakistan Forum and on the crucial issue of enhanced access to European Union markets through the GSP plus scheme and the efforts to clinch Free Trade Agreement.

Expressing the desire to reshape the existing bilateral ties into a meaningful, multidimensional and enduring relationship, the CJCSC also underscored the importance of establishing an institutionalized mechanism in the form of 'Defence and Security Talks' for maintaining close defence linkages on regular basis between the two armed forces.

General Vincenzo Camporini appreciated efforts and sacrifices of the people and Armed Forces of Pakistan against terrorism and violent extremism and reiterated firm commitment of Italy to support Pakistan in all its efforts. He also thanked CJCSC for his concrete proposals to further strengthen the bilateral relations between the two countries. He further said that Italy values its relationship with Pakistan and the visit by Chairman JCSC would help charting future course for a meaningful bilateral relationship between the two countries. The two sides also deliberated on the measures to enhance cooperation in the field of training, intelligence sharing, establishment of linkages between the Higher Defence and Security Institutes of the two countries, and defence industrial collaboration.

CJCSC General Tariq also visited Commander of the Operative Command of Summit Interforces, Rear Admiral Marizano, Commander of Headquarters Joint Operations Command(COI), Major General Ferro and President of the Institute for Higher Defence Studies (CASD), Admiral Trauizani.

Later in the evening a dinner was hosted by General Vincenzo Camporini in the honour of CJCSC, which was also attended by Charge de Affairs Pakistan, Mr Rahim Hayat Qureshi and senior Italian officials.

:: ISPR :: Inter Services Public Relations - PAKISTAN