ISLAMABAD (Alliance News, July 31): Pakistan on Wednesday welcomed Kuwait’s ratification of the Defence Cooperation Agreement signed between the two countries in June 2023, describing it as a significant step toward strengthening their longstanding strategic and defence partnership.
Responding to media queries, Foreign Office Spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said the agreement marks another important milestone in the defence relationship between Pakistan and Kuwait, which dates back to the early 1980s.
He said the ratification reflects the shared commitment of both countries to further expand bilateral defence cooperation and elevate their security partnership.
According to the Foreign Office, the agreement provides a comprehensive institutional framework for cooperation in military training and education, joint exercises, exchange of expertise, defence technology, and other mutually agreed areas.
The spokesperson said the pact would strengthen institutional linkages between the armed forces of Pakistan and Kuwait while further consolidating the longstanding defence ties between the two brotherly nations.
Pakistan and Kuwait, he added, would continue working closely to implement the agreement in accordance with its provisions, expanding defence collaboration based on mutual trust, shared interests and close institutional cooperation, while contributing to regional peace, security and stability.
The Defence Cooperation Agreement was signed on June 11, 2023, and also covers cooperation in military manufacturing, electronic communication systems, scientific research, military media, cultural exchanges and sports activities.
A joint military committee will oversee implementation of the agreement, including the organization of joint military exercises, official visits and other cooperative programmes.
The agreement will remain valid for five years and will automatically renew unless either country decides to terminate it. It also includes provisions for protecting confidential military information and resolving disputes through diplomatic channels.
The Foreign Office statement came during the official visit of Kuwait’s Foreign Minister Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah to Pakistan.
During his visit, the Kuwaiti foreign minister held separate meetings with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir.
The meetings focused on enhancing bilateral cooperation in defence, trade, investment, regional security and economic partnership, with both sides agreeing to further institutionalize cooperation through regular high-level exchanges.
The Kuwaiti foreign minister also expressed appreciation for the warm welcome and hospitality extended by the Government of Pakistan.
