Latest news with #defensecooperation
Arab News
a day ago
- Business
- Arab News
Pakistan, Saudi Arabia discuss maritime security, defense ties in high-level military meeting
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Saudi Arabia on Thursday discussed regional security and agreed to enhance bilateral defense cooperation, with a special focus on maritime security, during a high-level military meeting in Rawalpindi, the Pakistan army said. General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, Pakistan's Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC), met Vice Admiral Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Ghuraybi, Chief of the Naval Staff of the Royal Saudi Naval Forces, at the Joint Staff Headquarters in Rawalpindi. Thursday's meeting comes amid a regional push by both countries to bolster maritime security cooperation, particularly as geopolitical tensions threaten trade routes through the Red Sea and Arabian Gulf. '[They] discussed the evolving regional security dynamics both within Middle East & South Asia with particular focus on maritime security,' Pakistan's military media wing, ISPR, said in a statement. General Mirza underscored the 'historical brotherly relations between Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Islamic Republic of Pakistan,' and 'emphasized mutual resolve for enhancing existing bilateral defense cooperation,' according to the statement. Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have shared close military and strategic relations for decades, including joint training programs, military exercises, and high-level defense consultations. Pakistan has historically provided military assistance and training to Saudi forces, and the two countries routinely hold joint military exercises as well as drills in the Arabian and Red Seas. In recent years, the relationship has broadened beyond defense. Saudi Arabia extended a $3 billion deposit to Pakistan in 2024 to support Islamabad's balance of payments. It remains Pakistan's largest source of foreign remittances, with approximately $7.4 billion received in FY2024–25 — about one-quarter of total remittance inflows. Bilateral trade and investment are also expanding. In 2023, Pakistan's exports to Saudi Arabia were valued at $640 million, while imports stood at $4.5 billion, highlighting both opportunity and imbalance. Saudi investments in Pakistan spiked following 2024 meetings in Islamabad that produced $2 billion in memorandums of understanding spanning energy, agriculture, tech, and mining.
France 24
17-07-2025
- Politics
- France 24
Merz makes first trip to London amid warming post-Brexit ties
They will also discuss continued support for Ukraine, with both London and Berlin expected to play a role in US President Donald Trump's plan to send weapons to Kyiv with financing from other NATO countries. The visit is Merz's first to the UK as chancellor, although he has already met Starmer several times, including on a trip to Ukraine just days after he took office in early May. Merz's trip comes a week after a state visit to Britain by French President Emmanuel Macron, the first by an EU head of state since the UK left the bloc five years ago. The wide-ranging new treaty between Germany and Britain will refer to the turbulent security situation that both countries face and include a mutual defence pact. "There is no strategic threat to one which would not be a strategic threat to the other," the text is expected to say, alongside a pledge that the two countries "shall assist one another, including by military means, in case of an armed attack". While Britain and Germany already have a commitment to mutual defence as NATO members, the treaty is expected to pave the way for greater defence cooperation, including in weapons development and operations on NATO's eastern flank. The two countries already signed a landmark defence agreement in October and in May said they would begin developing strike missiles with a range of 2,000-plus kilometres (1,250 miles). Merz and Starmer are set to announce Thursday that this system will be delivered within the next decade, and they will unveil a new agreement on boosting UK defence exports to Germany such as Boxer armoured vehicles and Typhoon jets. Overcoming Brexit 'trauma' German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul will accompany Merz on the visit and is expected to meet his British counterpart David Lammy. A German government source said of the visit that "we shouldn't underestimate" how much relations with the UK had improved since the "traumatic" experience of Brexit. The treaty will include measures to improve citizens' contacts between the two countries, for example by simplifying border procedures for school trips. The two leaders are also set to commit to doing more to tackle irregular migration, a key domestic priority for both Merz and Starmer. Merz's government is expected to make a commitment to modify German law by the end of the year to criminalise the facilitation of "illegal migration". This will include action against storage facilities used by migrant smugglers to conceal small boats intended for Channel crossings. The text will also include sections on science and technology, with more cooperation promised in strategic sectors such as artificial intelligence. It will also establish a new UK-Germany Business Forum, with several German companies poised to announce new investment in Britain on Thursday. On the topic of transport, the two countries will commit to improving train connections. Last month Eurostar said it planned to launch a new route from London to Frankfurt in the early 2030s, which would be the first such direct connection between the UK and Germany.
Al Arabiya
09-07-2025
- Business
- Al Arabiya
Turkey and Pakistan discuss defense industry and energy cooperation
Turkey's foreign and defense ministers discussed cooperation in defense and energy with officials in Pakistan during a visit to Islamabad on Wednesday, Ankara said. Turkey and Pakistan have strong ties and Ankara expressed solidarity with Pakistan during the military conflict with India in May, angering India. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Defense Minister Yasar Guler met Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Pakistan Air Force chief Air Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu, and others during the visit. In a statement after the talks, Turkey's defense ministry said Guler and Sidhu discussed regional defense and security, as well as areas of cooperation in the defense industry, and added Sidhu had conveyed Pakistan's desire to improve ties in advanced training operations and aviation technologies. Guler also stressed the importance of joint projects in the defense industry, including on aviation and drones, it added. Speaking at a press conference in Islamabad, Fidan said the two countries were evaluating the possibility of cooperating in mining, natural gas, oil, and rare elements, after agreeing in April to jointly carry out oil and gas exploration off Pakistan. Ankara also has cordial ties with India, but after its support for Pakistan over the conflict, small Indian grocery shops and major online fashion retailers boycotted Turkish products, while New Delhi also cancelled Turkey-based aviation service provider Celebi's clearance over 'national security' reasons.
Arab News
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Turkish ministers arrive in Pakistan amid expectations of defense, counterterrorism talks
ISLAMABAD: Türkiye's defense and foreign ministers arrived in Pakistan on late Tuesday night for a series of high-level meetings expected to focus on counterterrorism, defense cooperation and broader strategic ties, according to the foreign office in Islamabad. The visit comes amid deepening relations between the two countries and follows Türkiye's public condemnation of Indian cross-border strikes in Pakistan during a brief conflict between the two South Asian neighbors in May. The Pakistani administration announced the arrival of Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Defense Minister Yaşar Güler in two separate official statements. 'During [their] official visit to Pakistan, key matters of mutual interest will be discussed,' the foreign office said. 'The visit highlights the close brotherly ties between Pakistan and Türkiye, founded on shared values, mutual respect, and a long history of friendship.' The Turkish state broadcaster TRT International said the visit 'is expected to advance bilateral cooperation in the fields of security and counter-terrorism,' adding the 'delegation is also expected to discuss measures to strengthen bilateral defense cooperation.' Pakistan and Türkiye have maintained close military 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.
Bloomberg
09-07-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
Philippines Says Canada Troops Pact Ready, Eyes China Deterrence
The Philippines said its visiting forces agreement with Canada is ready for signing, as the Southeast Asian nation builds a coalition of like-minded nations and deterrence amid tensions with China. Manila is also negotiating a similar military pact with France, while it's forging an enhanced defense cooperation with India, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said on Wednesday at the Reuters NEXT event in Singapore.
