Latest news with #militarycooperation
Arab News
4 days ago
- Politics
- Arab News
US, Central Asian defense chiefs join Pakistan for rare regional security talks in Islamabad
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan hosted a rare regional defense conference on Saturday, with officials from the United States joining their counterparts from four Central Asian republics to discuss enhanced military cooperation and counterterrorism coordination in the neighborhood. The US maintained a significant military presence in the region through Afghanistan until the withdrawal of international forces in August 2021. The conference in Islamabad marked the first multilateral defense engagement of its kind hosted by Pakistan amid a gradual thaw in relations between Islamabad and Washington, with participation from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Many of the participating Central Asian states share borders with or lie close to Afghanistan and remain exposed to the spillover effects of militant violence, narcotics trafficking and regional instability. Pakistan, which shares a porous frontier with Afghanistan, has repeatedly called for deeper security cooperation to confront shared threats in the aftermath of the Afghan conflict. 'In an era defined by transnational threats and complex hybrid challenges, the imperative for deeper military-to-military cooperation, strategic dialogue and mutual trust is paramount,' Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir said during his opening address, according to a statement released by the military's media wing. 'Pakistan remains fully committed to working with partner nations to build a secure and prosperous regional environment,' he added. Earlier, the army chief welcomed the participants of the Regional Chiefs of Defense Staff Conference, held under the theme 'Strengthening Bonds, Securing Peace.' The event focused on strengthening regional security partnerships, expanding joint training efforts and improving crisis response mechanisms. Delegates also discussed the strategic landscape in South and Central Asia, with emphasis on evolving threats, sovereignty concerns and military diplomacy. The official statement said the participants reaffirmed their commitment to upholding peace, respecting national sovereignty and confronting common challenges including militant violence and cyber insecurity. Delegates praised Pakistan's role in convening the meeting and commended its leadership, hospitality and efforts to promote regional defense diplomacy.
LBCI
5 days ago
- Politics
- LBCI
Lebanon and Turkey discuss military cooperation in Istanbul meeting
Lebanon's Defense Minister, General Michel Mnassa, visited Istanbul at the invitation of his Turkish counterpart, Yaşar Güler, where the two officials held a bilateral meeting focused on strengthening military cooperation between the two countries. According to a statement from the Lebanese Defense Ministry's media office, the talks emphasized the importance of exchanging expertise and advancing defense ties in line with shared interests. The visit was described as a key step in Lebanon's efforts to engage with international military experiences and enhance the capabilities of the Lebanese Armed Forces. The ministry added that this initiative reflects the Defense Ministry's commitment to staying informed on global developments in the defense sector, especially amid ongoing regional security challenges.
Arab News
7 days ago
- Business
- Arab News
Top Pakistani general discusses enhancing defense, security ties with Turkish, Azeri officials
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's General Sahir Shamshad Mirza met senior defense officials of Turkiye and Azerbaijan on Wednesday to discuss strengthening existing security and defense ties between the countries, Pakistan Army's media wing said. Islamabad has grown closer to Ankara and Baku after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev openly pledged support for Pakistan during its latest military confrontation with India in May. Mirza, who is the chairman of joint chiefs of staff committee (CJCSC) of the Pakistan Army, was attending the 17th International Defense Industry Fair in Istanbul, renowned for showcasing cutting-edge innovations and advancements in the defense sector. The Pakistani general held separate meetings with General (retired) Yasar Guler, Turkiye's minister of national defense, Col. General Hasanov Zakir Asgar Oglu, Azerbaijan's minister of defense, Gurbanov Agil Salim Oglu, Azerbaijan's deputy minister of defense and General Metin Gurak, the chief of Turkish general staff. 'Discussions were held on variety of issues of bilateral military cooperation with emphasis on importance of expanding cooperation in the fields of defense and security,' the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the military's media wing, said in a statement. 'The dignitaries reaffirmed their shared commitment to deepening strategic partnerships and enhancing defense corporation in line with dictates of future geo-strategic environment and technological advancements.' The Turkish and Azeri officials reaffirmed their commitment to deepen strategic partnerships and enhance defense cooperation, keeping in mind the future geo-strategic environment and technological advancements, the ISPR added. Earlier this month, Turkiye's defense and foreign ministers arrived in Pakistan for a series of high-level meetings that reportedly focused on counterterrorism, defense cooperation and broader strategic ties. Pakistan and Turkiye have maintained close defense ties in recent years. Under a 2018 agreement, Türkiye is delivering four MILGEM-class corvettes to the Pakistan Navy, with two built in Istanbul and two at Karachi Shipyard under a technology transfer arrangement. The first vessel, PNS Babur, was delivered in 2023.
Russia Today
23-07-2025
- Politics
- Russia Today
Moscow backs defense deal with African state
The Russian government has approved a draft law to ratify a military cooperation agreement with Togo, TASS reported on Tuesday, citing meeting documents. The decision by the government commission on legislative activity comes as Moscow deepens defense ties in West Africa, where French influence has waned in recent years. The deal includes provisions for joint military training and exercises, Vladimir Gruzdev, a member of the commission and chairman of the Board of the Association of Lawyers of Russia, told the agency. According to Gruzdev, the pact also provides for emergency medical assistance between the Russian and Togolese militaries. He described Togo as a strategically positioned partner, calling it the most 'organized and equipped' country in Tropical Africa. 'For example, the busiest seaport in the West African region is located on its territory,' he stated. Moscow has stepped up its military engagement in Africa in recent years, with President Vladimir Putin saying last November that several countries across the continent are increasingly seeking its security support. Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger—Togo's West African neighbors—have severed defense ties with former colonial power France and expelled French troops over alleged aggression and their failure to contain surging jihadist insurgency in the Sahel region. The three countries have formed the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) and turned to Russia – praised by their leaders as a reliable partner – for security cooperation to counter militant violence that has claimed an estimated 10,400 lives in the region in 2024. Togo is increasingly facing cross-border violence, with 10 attacks and 52 deaths recorded in 2024 – the highest since records began, according to the Global Terrorism Index. Last July, around 100 fighters from the al Qaeda-linked Group for Support of Islam and Muslims launched a large-scale attack on a military post near the Burkina Faso border, reportedly killing a dozen Togolese soldiers. In April, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov reaffirmed Moscow's support for the AES bloc, affirming that Russia is ready to help strengthen the joint Sahel forces, boost the combat readiness of each country's military, and assist in training armed forces and law enforcement personnel.
Al Arabiya
22-07-2025
- Business
- Al Arabiya
Erdogan, Starmer discuss progress on fighter jets sale to Turkey
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan discussed progress on the sale of Eurofighter Typhoon jets to Turkey in a phone call with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Tuesday, according to a readout from the Turkish presidency. Erdogan said developments in the defense sector would positively contribute to cooperation between the sides, it said. Turkey has been in talks to purchase the jets, which are built by a consortium of Germany, Britain, Italy and Spain, represented by Airbus, BAE Systems and Leonardo.
