ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Norway on Monday agreed to further strengthen bilateral ties besides working together to fight terror and promote peace and stability in the region.
The agreement to this effect was reached at a meeting between Defence Minister Ch Ahmed Mukhtar and his Norwegian counterpart, Ms Grete Faremo, who called on him in Islamabad, an official statement said.
The two leaders exchanged views on various subjects such as defence cooperation, Pakistan’s counterterrorism efforts and its contribution to UN peace-keeping operations and security situation of the region.
Ch Ahmed Mukhtar said Norway was a friendly country and a valued partner in various international and regional issues. He added Pakistan was keen to work closely with the Norwegian government for further strengthening bilateral relations.
He stated both the countries needed to enhance collaboration in the field of defence production and proposed to undertake joint venture in ship building and sea boats. He said Pakistan was keen to purchase F-16 aircraft fleet which was reportedly being replaced by Norway with F-35 Lightning-II Joint Strike Fighter (JSF).
The meeting also discussed Pakistan’s anti-terror efforts. Mukhtar briefed the Norwegian defence delegation about the contribution and achievements made by Pakistan against the war on terror.
He regretted the international community was not helping Pakistan fully as the war on terror was very expensive.
He said the international community had given us hopes, but failed to fulfill commitments to establish reconstruction and opportunity zones (ROZs) in the FATA, which was essential for bringing there social and economic prosperity. He regretted some friendly countries were giving such biased and unfair statements despite the fact that Pakistan had been suffering a lot in the war on terror. He referred to the recent statement of German Chancellor Angela Merkel, during a press conference with Indian Prime Manmohan Singh in Berlin on Sunday, in which he blamed Pakistan for the Mumbai terror attacks. He said there was no cross-border movement by terrorists from Pakistan’s side of the border.
Admiring Pakistan’s sacrifices and anti-terror contribution, Ms Grete Faremo said Pakistan had been playing a vital role against the war on terror and added its role was very essential to defeat and eliminate terrorists.
She said regional approach towards bringing peace and stability to Afghanistan was very important. She said Pakistan’s role in defeating terrorism and bringing peace and stability to the region was very significant. She said Pakistan and Norway needed to work together to promote regional peace and defeat terrorism.
