Pakistan and France have expressed their intention to deepen defence and security cooperation, with Field Marshal Asim Munir reaffirming Islamabad’s commitment to stronger bilateral ties during talks with senior French official Nicolas Roche on Tuesday.
Roche, France’s Secretary General for Defence and National Security, met the Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff at General Headquarters in Rawalpindi. French Ambassador to Pakistan Jean-Noël Poirier accompanied him, according to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).
The discussions covered regional security as well as opportunities to broaden cooperation between the two countries in the defence and security sectors.
“During the meeting, matters of mutual interest, including regional security and bilateral cooperation in defence and security domains, were discussed,” ISPR said.
Field Marshal Munir reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening relations with France and expanding cooperation in the two countries’ defence and security partnership.
According to ISPR, Roche acknowledged Pakistan’s efforts towards regional peace and stability and conveyed France’s interest in increasing cooperation in areas of shared interest.
The meeting at GHQ coincided with broader Pakistan-France security talks in Islamabad.
During the eighth round of the Pakistan-France Joint Security Commission, the two countries reiterated their commitment to strengthening and implementing cooperation under the Pakistan-France Roadmap for Bilateral Cooperation (2023).
Pakistan’s delegation at the commission meeting was led by Defence Secretary Lt Gen (retd) Muhammad Ali, while Roche headed the French side, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.