Pakistan-Belgium agrees to improve military-to-military ties

Pakistan Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa, during an official visit to Belgium, called on Minister of Defence Ludivine Dedonder, Chief of Defence Admiral Michel Hofman and Chief of Staff of the Land Component Belgium Major General Pierre Gerard, the military said in a statement on Friday.

As per the statement released by Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), matters of mutual interest, complete regional security situation, and bilateral ties were discussed during the meeting.

Meanwhile, General Qamar said, “Pakistan values its bilateral ties with Belgium.”

Both sides have agreed to improve military-to-military ties further, specifically in defence production, training, counter-terrorism and intelligence domains.

As per the military sources said, the Belgian dignitaries acknowledged the professionalism of Pakistan’s armed forces. They also praised Pakistan’s sincere efforts to maintain peace and stability in the region and recited the earnest desire to enhance bilateral ties in all domains.

A day earlier, General Qamar Javed Bajwa called on Secretary-General of the European External Action Services (EEAS) Stefano Sannino and Chairman of the EU Military Committee General Claudio Graziano during his official visit.

During the meeting, ideas of mutual interests, overall regional security situation, including Afghanistan’s current situation, and bilateral ties with the European Union were topics of concern.

At the same time, General Qamar Javed Bajwa said, “Pakistan values its relations with European Union countries and earnestly look forward to enhancing mutual cooperation based on common interests.”

The European Union dignitaries have praised Pakistan’s efforts in keeping peace and security in the region and pledged to play their role for increased collaboration with Pakistan at all levels.

Among European nations, Belgium is the sixth-largest importer of Pakistani goods, and the bilateral trade between the two is approaching US$600 million. Belgium has also provided financial aid of €4.6 million to Pakistan during the 2010 floods.

Belgium is also home to the majority of Pakistanis (19,247). In 2007, around 666 Pakistani nationals were granted Belgian citizenship, making them the highest Asian recipients of Belgian citizenship in 2007.