Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (JCSC) General Ehsanul Haq has met Chief of Defence Force of Australia Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston at the Headquarters of Australian Defence Force Canberra, says an official statement. On his arrival, the Chief JCSC was presented salute by a contingent of the Australian Defence Forces (ADF). During a joint call with the CDF and Secretary of Defence Richard Smith, Haq expressed satisfaction on military to military cooperation between Pakistan and Australia. He highlighted the need to further strengthen the relationship in the fields of military training, cooperation in defence industry and technology and information sharing to develop a wholesome partnership between the two countries. Haq also held wide ranging strategic dialogue with senior officials from Australian Defence Forces and the Department of Foreign Affairs and representatives from the Office of National Assessment. Australian officials covered their perspective on the national security environment including threats and challenges and their response. The Pakistani side highlighted its strategic environment, Pakistan s role in the war on terror, its contribution in international peace keeping operations and perspective about the environment in South and Central Asia. The meeting ended on a positive note with both sides agreeing to further strengthen their mutual relationship.
