Sada-e-Watan
Sydney ™
sadaewatan@gmail.com
Federal Minister for Defence Senator John Faulkner opened the inaugural Pakistan Australia Security Dialogue in Canberra and Senator Faulkner also met separately with General A.P.Kayani to discuss Australia’s Defence engagement with Pakistan
The Federal Minister for
Defence of Australia Senator John Faulkner opened the inaugural Pakistan
Australia Security Dialogue in Canberra on Thursday 08 July 2010.Co-hosted by
the Australia's Chief of the Defence Force Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston and
Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff, General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani. The Dialogue
involved key security decision makers from a range of agencies, and selected
think tank representatives, from both Australia and Pakistan. Senator Faulkner
noted the Security Dialogue was a unique gathering of key officials from both
countries with significant expertise in security decision making.Senator
Faulkner thanked General Kayani for his involvement in the Security Dialogue,
which reflected the long-standing friendship between the two countries. Delegates
discussed the security challenges facing Pakistan, and how Australia could
assist Pakistan to address the threat posed by violent extremism.
“The success of Pakistan’s efforts in combating violent extremism within its
borders is crucial, not only to Pakistan, but also to international efforts in
Afghanistan, as well as Australia’s own national interests,” said Senator
Faulkner.
“This Security Dialogue is an important feature of the Government’s engagement
with Pakistan and support for Pakistan’s efforts to combat violent extremism. It
reflects each country’s genuine desire to learn from each other’s experience and
expertise”.
“The threat from violent extremists is beyond the capabilities of any Defence
force alone,” said Senator John Faulkner.
“It requires a whole of government coordinated approach, drawing upon all of our
respective governments capabilities.”
Senator Faulkner also met separately with General Kayani to discuss Australia’s
Defence engagement with Pakistan, as well as outcomes from Senator Faulkner’s
recent visit to Pakistan.
“I welcome General Kayani’s visit to Australia, which reflects the growing
Defence cooperation between our countries and our intent to seek an enduring and
mutually beneficial relationship,” said Senator Faulkner.
General Kayani is in Australia as a guest of the Chief of Defence Force, Air
Chief Marshal Houston. In addition to co-chairing the Security Dialogue, General
Kayani met senior Defence leaders to discuss future options for Defence
cooperation, the status of operations conducted by their respective countries,
as well as Australia’s command and control arrangements. General Kayani also
visited Defence establishments in Canberra and Sydney.
