Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan urged the European Union (EU) and international community to take notice of situation on Line of Control and Indian aggression.

According to Defence Ministry spokesman, French Ambassador Martine Dorance called on Defence Secretary Defence Lt Gen (r) Zameerul Hassan Shah on Wednesday.

The two sides discussed matters relating to regional security, exchange of information, bilateral defence cooperation, crises management efforts, early finalization of the letter of intent between National Defence University (NDU) and Institute for Higher National Defence Studies (IHNDS) France and arrangements for the 5th meeting of Pak-France Joint Security Commission.

The envoy congratulated Shah on assumption of office and successful conduct of IDEAS-2016.

The two sides were of the view that national and regional security is an important and common concern. The two countries can help each other by sharing and exchange of information to monitor terrorists holed up in Afghanistan, Syria and Iraq.

The defence secretary apprised her about the prolonged efforts of the Pakistan Army in countering terrorism. He also sought technical support from France in this regard. He also thanked the ambassador for providing assistance to law enforcers of Pakistan.

The ambassador gave a brief account of crises management system in France. Shah said, “Our NDMA can learn lessons from the French system.”

The envoy hoped that letter of intent for cooperation between NDU and IHNDS can be signed during the next meeting of Pak-France Joint Security Commission proposed to be held in the first quarter of 2017 in France. She apprised the secretary about the arrangements of the meeting and assured that French side will positively consider the agenda to be proposed by Pakistan.

The defence secretary informed the ambassador about the situation on the LoC and said the Pakistan Army only retaliates the unprovoked violence by the Indian Army.

He said the international community should take serious notice of the situation.

Dorance assured that the international community as well as the EU are aware of the situation at LoC and it is their stance that Pakistan and India should talk to normalise the situation and promote good ties. She invited the secretary to visit France for the fifth meeting of Pak-France Joint Security Commission.

Separately, Shah also met UAE Military Attache Brig (staff) Ghanem Ali Ghanem Al-Ali. He said Pakistan attached great value to its relations with the UAE. The secretary said that there is a lot of scope of cooperation between the two armed forces. Other matters of bilateral importance also came under discussion.