Secretary Defence Lieutenant General (Retd) Tariq Waseem Ghazi on Friday said US-Pakistan defence relationship was "essential" to strengthening US and Pakistani security, winning the global war on terrorism, and enhancing stability in South Asia.
He said this while addressing a press conference, at the conclusion of the delegation's week-long visit to US. He was leading a delegation at the 17th US-Pakistan Defence Consultative Group (DCG) which met here for two days on May 4, while the bilateral meetings continued from May 01 to May 05.
The US side at the DCG, which meets annually, was led by Under Secretary of Defence for Policy, Eric S. Edelman.
The DCG serves as "a primary forum" for exchanging ideas and co-ordinating defence policy discussions "with a view to deepen co-operation in diverse areas of the bilateral defence relationship."
Expressing "full satisfaction" over the results of the DCG, General Ghazi said that this week's DCG meetings "continued a tradition of open, broad-ranging, and practical discussions aimed at further strengthening the bonds of mutual friendship and respect between the two countries."
The joint statement said: "the DCG working groups met to review the progress of defence co-operation between the two countries, and to identify and plan activities for the future that will be mutually-beneficial to our nations."
Secretary Defence said the DCG meetings highlighted "the strong and enduring relationship between the United States and Pakistan, celebrated our impressive achievements, and considered how to strengthen our alliance for the future."
It was agreed that the DCG's next session would be held in Islamabad, in 2007.
Both the sides agreed to a schedule of military-to-military exercises and training activities for the upcoming year.