Pakistan, Argentina agree to reinforce defence, trade ties

Islamabad, Sep 19 (UNI) Pakistan and Argentina have decided to reinforce ties in trade, economic and defence fields, officials said today.

A decision to this effect was taken at a meeting between Pakistani Defence Minister Chaudhry Ahmad Mukhtar and Argentinean Ambassador Rodolfo Martin Saravia yesterday.

''They also discussed the possibility of undertaking a joint venture in the area of defence,'' a Defence Ministry official said without disclosing the nature of the joint venture.

He added that it was agreed to strengthen cooperation in the field of military training and education.

Mr Mukhtar also spoke of Pakistan's role in the anti-terror war, saying the international community needed to acknowledge the country's role in the war on terror and should extend its support in stemming the tide of terrorism.

He said terrorism could only be defeated by addressing the root causes of the problem. ''We will have to alleviate poverty and provide economic opportunities as well as educational and health facilities to our people living below the poverty line,'' he said.

UNI XC SKB AS1502