17 Nov. 2006

First visit by top Pakistani officer to NATO Opinions The Chairman of the NATO Military Committee and the Chief of Defence of Pakistan address the meeting of the NATO Military Committee MP3/4829kb WMV/7799KB Transcript Multimedia High resolution photos of the visit Background The Military Committee The Pakistan Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Ehsan ul Haq, discussed increasing military cooperation with NATO, as well as efforts to bring stability to Afghanistan, during a historic first visit to NATO Headquarters. This was the first visit by a senior Pakistani military official to NATO Headquarters.  General ul Haq addressed NATO’s Military Committee, the Alliance’s top military body, and met with the NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer and the Chairman of the Military Committee, Gen. Ray Henault. Afghanistan in focus “Your visit is tangible evidence of the genuine efforts by both NATO and Pakistan to enhance military-to-military cooperation in a number of areas of mutual interest,” said Gen. Henault, in his welcoming remarks. General ul Haq exchanged views with the Military Committee on ways of further enhancing military-to-military cooperation, as well as cooperation regarding Afghanistan, with which Pakistan shares a 2,500-kilometre border, and where NATO is leading the 32,000-strong International Security Assistance Force, ISAF. “I know I can speak for all of us here that we appreciate the difficult, challenging and dangerous work you have in monitoring and controlling the border and in identifying and removing the militant forces that stand in the way of peace and prosperity for all peoples in the region,” said Gen. Henault, “NATO depends on the support and cooperation of Pakistan respecting cross-border issues to accomplish its mission.” General ul Haq also met with the NATO Secretary General. They discussed the growing military- to-military contacts between NATO and Pakistan, of which this visit is a part. They also discussed NATO’s long-term commitment to the stabilisation of Afghanistan through the ISAF operation. Pakistan and NATO have been steadily increasing cooperation since October 2005, when NATO launched a large operation to help aid victims of the devastating earthquake that struck the country. The Alliance has also opened several courses at NATO education facilities to Pakistani officers, including training in peace support operations, civil-military cooperation, and defence against terrorism. Pakistan is a key partner in the Tripartite Commission, the trilateral forum of Pakistan, Afghanistan and ISAF where military matters of mutual concern are discussed and information exchanged.