S Africa, Pakistan sign MoU for defence cooperation

South African minister discusses security issues with Pakistani counterpart, army chief

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and South Africa on Monday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to cooperate in defence and defence production sectors.

The MoU signing was held at the Ministry of Defence where the Pakistan side was represented by Minister for Defence Khwaja Asif, and the South African side by Minister for Defence and Defence Industry Ms Nosiviwe Mapisa Nqakula.

According to the MoU, a joint committee has been formed which will pave the way for strengthening and diversifying through formal structures, collaborative programmes, exchange of information and training of the armed forces officers and soldiers.

Acquisition of defence equipment as well as cooperation in Research and Development (R&D), transfer of technology, co-production or joint ventures in public as well as private sectors, also fall within the domain of the MoU. The cooperation between both the countries will help open new vistas in both defence and defence production sectors, said Kh Asif while interacting with the media on the occasion.

His South African counterpart said that her country gave high importance to Pakistan in diplomatic relations. She said that the image of Pakistan portrayed abroad was totally different from that of the actual.

"Islamabad is a peaceful place. I am amazed that there is no disturbance as was portrayed earlier. "Pakistan is a disciplined country but its image is tarnished,” she added.

The communiqué reads: "… Being the first ever visit of a defence minister from Democratic Republic of South Africa, the visiting dignitary called on Minister of Defence, Minister of Defence Production and Chief of Army Staff, wherein issues of bilateral interest were discussed.

"The minister of defence and military veterans expressed appreciation at the warm welcome and reception by her counterparts, Minister of Defence and Minister for Defence Production respectively and looks forward to further cooperation in letter and spirit of the signed MoU on Defence and Defence Industrial Cooperation.”

According to the ISPR, Minister of Defence and Military Veterans Affairs South Africa N N Mapisa Nqakula called on Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa at General Headquarters here on Monday.

During the meeting, views were exchanged on issues of mutual interest, including defence and security cooperation between both the countries and overall regional security situation.

The minister expressed her appreciation for army’s successes in elimination of terrorism from Pakistan. Earlier on arrival at the GHQ, the defence minister laid a wreath at the  Yadgar-e-Shuhada.