Pakistan, US defense officials vow to defeat al-Qaeda

Senior Pakistani and American defense officials Tuesday wrapped up two days of talks, underscoring the importance of continuing cooperation to "complete the defeat of al-Qaeda" and its affiliates in the region, local media reported. A joint statement issued at the conclusion of U.S.-Pakistan Defense Consultative Group (DCG) meeting in Rawalpindi, said that both delegations acknowledged that bilateral counter-terrorism cooperation has been critical to weakening violent extremists. Both sides affirmed their mutual commitment to a strong defense relationship, which they stressed, should focus on achieving common objectives, the statement said. Delegations from the two sides were respectively led by Lt. Gen. (Retd) Asif Yasin Malik, Pakistan's Secretary of Defense, and Dr. James N. Miller, the U.S. Under Secretary of Defense for Policy. The DCG is the primary forum for exchanging views and coordinating defense policy with the goal of strengthening cooperation to support each country's security interests. The DCG last met in May 2011 in Washington, D.C.. "Recognizing the enduring security requirements on both sides of the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, the two delegations agreed to cooperate on a prioritized set of Pakistan's defense requirements which will inform follow-on consultations on security assistance," the statement said. Both sides reviewed the numerous challenges facing regional security, and shared their views regarding the importance of regional peace and stability. The delegations reaffirmed the DCG remains an invaluable forum to discuss strategic defense policy issues and exchange views on shared security concerns, and committed to continue working together to implement a framework for defense cooperation based on areas of convergence between U.S. and Pakistani interests to promote peace and stability in the region. The Pakistani delegation provided an update on its military campaign along its western border and the U.S. side briefed on International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) activities in Afghanistan, the statement said. Both delegations concluded that the discussions to reopen the NATO-led Coalition's ground supply lines and the resumption of bilateral consultations on regional security were significant achievements over the six months. The delegations welcomed the resumption of bilateral security cooperation and agreed that relations between the two countries should be based on the principles of strategic desirability, political sustainability, trust and mutual respect. During plenary session, DCG participants shared their respective assessments of the bilateral relationship and discussed each country's strategic priorities, and agreed on areas for future defense cooperation.