MONITORING DESK: The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa, while on an official visit to Ukraine, visited the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine where he held separate meetings with the Ukrainian Prime Minister H.E. Mr. Shmyhal Denys and the Deputy Prime Minister & Minister for Strategic Industries H.E. Mr. Uruskyi Oleh, the Dispatch News Desk (DND) news agency reported citing Pakistan army’s media wing Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).
During the meetings, matters of mutual interest, regional security situation including recent developments in the Afghan peace process and enhanced bilateral & defence cooperation in various fields were discussed.
The COAS said that Pakistan attaches great importance to furthering bilateral relations with Ukraine and believes that both nations would develop meaningful and long term relationship through enhanced cooperation.
Both dignitaries appreciated Pakistan’s contributions for conflict prevention in the region, especially the Afghan peace process.
Earlier the COAS also called on the Minister of Defence of Ukraine H.E. Mr. Taran Andrii, the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Lieutenant General Serhii Korniichuk, the Commander of the Army of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Lieutenant General Oleksandr Syrskyi, and the Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine H.E. Mr. Avakov Arsen.
On arrival at the Ministry of Defence in Kyiv, the COAS was presented a guard of honour by a smartly turned out military contingent.
Besides mutual and professional interests, matters of defence and security collaboration between Pakistan and Ukraine and the overall regional security situation were discussed, during the meetings.
Both sides agreed to further optimize military to military ties particularly in defence production, training, counter-terrorism and intelligence domains.
The dignitaries appreciated Pakistan’s sincere efforts for bringing peace and stability in the region and reiterated Ukraine’s desire for enhancing bilateral cooperation in all domains.
Separately, General Qamar Javed Bajwa also visited a Military Test Site in the Kharkiv region of Ukraine and witnessed field tests of various weapons and equipment.
The COAS took a keen interest in the tests and appreciated the performance of all ranks associated with the projects.
General Bajwa said that defence cooperation between both Countries has always been traditionally an important component of our bilateral relations.
The Army Chief said that Pakistan is keen to enhance defence cooperation with Ukraine on the basis of Transfer of Technology (ToT) and Joint Ventures (JVs) in future as both sides can benefit from each other’s experience.
