Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday said that both Pakistan and Great Britain enjoyed close bilateral relations which were deeply embedded in history and tradition. He said relations between the two states needed to be taken to the next level by mutual co-operation in the fields of defence, science, technology and trade.
The PM expressed these views in a meeting with the members of a British delegation, headed by British Secretary of State for Defence Philip Hammonds, which called on him at the PM House. The PM emphasised on the need to increase the level of defence co-operation between the defence forces of the two countries. Both the sides also agreed to enhance the level of co-operation on counter-terrorism measures.
During the meeting, post-withdrawal Afghanistan scenarios also came under discussion. The PM said Pakistan wanted to see a peaceful and stable Afghanistan which was essential for a peaceful and prosperous Pakistan. The PM thanked the British government for extending support to Pakistan's case for GPS-Plus status in the European Union. The PM said Pakistan would benefit in terms of increase in trade volume through that concession. Federal Minister for Defence Production Rana Tanveer Hussain, Special Assistant to the PM Tariq Fatimi and other senior officials of the PM Office were also present during the meeting.