Pakistan and Spain have reiterated their mutual desire to further intensify bilateral co-operation in divergent fields particularly in the field of defence.
This was discussed during a meeting between the visiting Spanish Defence Minister, Jose Bono - who is heading a 60-member Spanish defence delegation - and Senior Federal Minister and Minister of Defence, Rao Sikandar Iqbal and Minister of State of Defence, Zahid Hamid, here on Tuesday.
Both sides discussed different subjects including defence co-operation, drug trafficking, war against terrorism and the geo-political environment of the region.
The meeting emphasised the need for the exchange of defence delegations by both sides, which would broaden the scope of co-operation in the area of defence.
The Spanish side offered technical training for the armed forces of Pakistan especially for Pakistan Navy.
The defence ministers of Pakistan informed their Spanish counterpart about the counter-terrorism effort made by Pakistan. They also highlighted the steps taken by Pakistan against combating the menace of drug trafficking.
Jose Bono deeply appreciated the efforts and contribution made by Pakistan against fighting the war on terror and drug trafficking.
The Spanish defence minister expressed his heartfelt sorrow over the devastating October 8 earthquake and said that Spain would continue to assist Pakistan in this hour of need.
The defence ministers of Pakistan thanked the Spanish government for generously assisting and supporting Pakistan in the wake of severe earthquake.
Apart form the defence ministers of Pakistan and Spain, the meeting was attended by the Spanish Chief of the Joint Defence Staff, Felix Sanz Roldan, Secretary General for Defence Political Affairs, Francisco Torrent Sanchez, Chief of Army Staff, Jose Antonio Garcia Gonzalez, Spanish Ambassador to Pakistan, Jose Maria Robles Fraga, Rear Admiral Ahsanul Haq Chaudhry, Additional Secretary Ministry of Defence and other senior defence officials of the two countries.
Earlier, the Spanish defence minister arrived in ministry of defence and was welcomed and received by Senior Federal Minister and Minister for Defence, Rao Sikandar Iqbal, Minster of State for Defence, Zahid Hamid and other senior officials of the ministry.
On arrival of the delegation, the smartly turned out contingent of the three armed forces of Pakistan presented Guard of Honour. The Spanish defence minister reviewed the guard and took salute. Later the visiting dignitary left for Bagh (Azad Kashmir) by helicopter and visited there boys schools destroyed by the earthquake.
He also visited ARJA, where a Spanish contingent has been deployed and taking part in the relief and rehabilitation efforts. He lauded the efforts and contribution made by them for serving the cause of humanity.
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