Pakistan-Turkey high-level military dialogue group’s 15th meeting held in Ankara
Pakistan and Turkey vowed to further strengthen defense cooperation after a two-day meeting (December 22-23) among the high-level military officials of the two countries in Ankara.
During the 15th round of Pakistan-Turkey High-Level Military Dialogue Group (HLMDG ), the officials of the two countries agreed to enhance defense cooperation, focusing on security and counter-terrorism.
Lt. Gen. (retired) Mian Muhammad Hilal Hussain, the secretary of defense, led the Pakistan delegation whereas General Selcuk Bayraktaroglu, deputy chief of the Turkish General Staff, led the Turkish delegation.
“Both delegations discussed all avenues of cooperation in military training, education, counter-terrorism, and defense industry cooperation including joint production and procurement,” the official statement said. Both sides shared perspectives on prevailing regional environment including the Middle East, South Asia, and Afghanistan.
The HLMDG is the highest level of institutional mechanism between Pakistan and Turkey to charter action plans to promote ties in the defense field. The next session of Pakistan-Turkey HLMDG meeting will be held in Pakistan in 2021.
Lt. Gen. Hussain held separate meetings with National Defense Minister of Turkey Hulusi Akar, Turkish General Staff Chief General Yasar Guler, Head of Presidency of Turkish Defense Industries Prof. Dr. Ismail Demir, and CEO of Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) Dr. Temil Kotil.
Pakistan delegation had also visited defense industry firms including Baykar (UAV), ASELSAN, HAVELSAN, and Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI).