Updates on Libyan war/Stop NATO news: November 8, 2011

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U.S. Ambassador Daalder Recruits Libya For NATO’s Mediterranean Dialogue

Arrogant World Powers: Putin Condemns NATO Libya Intervention At SCO Meeting

Obama, Rasmussen Discuss Libya, Afghanistan, Chicago

Obama, NATO Chief Agree To Increase Bloc’s Military Capabilities

NATO Chief To Discuss Boosting Georgian Military Capabilities

NATO Missile Shield Threat To Region: Iran

NATO Implementing Interceptor Missile Shield For Armed Forces In Europe

U.S., NATO Move Ahead With MEADS Interceptor Missile Test

Russia Concerned Over U.S. Warships In Northern Seas

NATO Fighters Scrambled Against Russian Planes Near Kaliningrad

“Cruel And Barbaric Act”: NATO Troops Kill Afghan Civilian, Arrest Others

NATO Trains Iraqi Officers At Battle Staff Training School

U.S. AFRICOM Plans 30-Nation Exercise For African Standby Force

SCO: Vehicle For China, Russia To Defend Themselves Against West

Russia Endorses Full SCO Membership For Pakistan

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U.S. Ambassador Daalder Recruits Libya For NATO’s Mediterranean Dialogue

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5i6hMRxHHdZ0tLjAbm44Ryay7k4-A?docId=CNG.aefa575bb61e7f6641c5a2bca477beae.21

Agence France-Presse
November 7, 2011

If asked, NATO could provide training for Libya: US

WASHINGTON: NATO could provide security advice and military training for Libya if the country’s new leaders ask for it, the US ambassador to the alliance said Monday.

“NATO is prepared, if requested by the new Libyan authorities, to consider ways in which it could help the Libyan authorities, particularly in the area of defense and security reform,” Ivo Daalder, US ambassador to NATO, told reporters.

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The alliance had expertise in helping with defense reform, including training and “helping to set up a defense ministry,” he said.

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Daalder also said Libya could bolster its ties with the transatlantic alliance by joining NATO’s “Mediterranean dialogue,” a partnership comprising Morocco, Egypt, Tunisia, Algeria, Mauritania, Jordan and Israel.

His comments came as President Barack Obama on Monday met NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, with White House officials touting the US approach to the Libya operation launched in March.

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Arrogant World Powers: Putin Condemns NATO Libya Intervention At SCO Meeting

http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/149510#.Trku-0NclEo

Arutz Sheva
November 8, 2011

Putin Condemns NATO Libya Intervention at St.Petersburg Meeting
Vladimir Putin condemned Western intervention in North Africa as arrogant and hypocritical
By Amiel Ungar

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization is meeting in St. Petersburg. The organization numbers Russia and China as its key members and views itself as a counterweight to NATO.

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The host of the conference, Russian prime minister and soon-to-be President Vladimir Putin, urged the member states to work together to make the group a leading force in the global economy and international security.

Putin took advantage of the Chinese presence to hold talks with China’s president Hu Jin Tao on security and bilateral trade…

At a time that Iran is in the news, Putin seconded the accusation made by Iran against “arrogant world powers” “It is really just like you said –these are arrogant world powers”.

If for a brief period there was dissonance between Putin and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev over the intervention in Libya, Russia is again speaking with one voice -  that of Putin. Putin condemned Western hypocrisy for first supporting the old North African regimes and then turning around to support the revolutions. Despite the agreement with Iran, the organization made no move to bump up Iran from observer to full status.

While most of the speeches so far have predictably called for strengthening ties and increasing cooperation, two matters of substance have come up.
 
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The council also announced the setup of an electricity grid from SCO members Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, countries rich in hydroelectric power, to power-hungry Afghanistan and Pakistan who have observer status.

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Obama, Rasmussen Discuss Libya, Afghanistan, Chicago

http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2011/11/07/readout-presidents-meeting-nato-secretary-general-rasmussen

The White House
Office of the Press Secretary
November 7, 2011

Readout of the President’s Meeting with NATO Secretary General Rasmussen

The President welcomed NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen to the Oval Office earlier today. The President thanked the Secretary General for his strong and effective leadership during NATO’s seven month operation in Libya, Operation Unified Protector. 

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The President and the Secretary General also discussed goals for the May 20-21 NATO Summit, which the President will host in Chicago, including taking further steps to ensure that NATO has the defense capabilities it needs to meet 21st century security threats. 

They agreed that the Chicago Summit should seek to further broaden and deepen NATO’s relationships with non-NATO partner nations. 

Additionally, the President and the Secretary General discussed the important progress made by the NATO-led ISAF mission in Afghanistan, and how the Chicago Summit might shape the next major phase of transition in Afghanistan, consistent with the Lisbon Summit goals and the President’s June 22 speech on Afghanistan.

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Obama, NATO Chief Agree To Increase Bloc’s Military Capabilities

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/world/2011-11/08/c_131235236.htm

Xinhua News Agency
November 8, 2011

Obama, NATO chief agree to boost bloc’s defense capabilities

WASHINGTON: U.S. President Barack Obama and NATO chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen agreed on Monday to take further steps to ensure that the military bloc has the defense capabilities needed to meet 21st century security threats.

At their White House talks, the pair identified the initiative as part of goals for the NATO summit slated for May 20-21, 2012 in Chicago.

“They agreed that the Chicago summit should seek to further broaden and deepen NATO’s relationships with non-NATO partner nations,” the White House said.

Obama and Rasmussen also discussed NATO’s seven-month military operation in Libya, which helped Libya’s opposition remove Muammar Gaddafi from power and take control of the nation.

Obama also discussed with Rasmussen “the important progress” made by the NATO-led mission in Afghanistan, and how the Chicago summit might shape the next major phase of transition in the war-torn country.

…

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NATO Chief To Discuss Boosting Georgian Military Capabilities

http://en.trend.az/regions/scaucasus/georgia/1954660.html

Trend News Agency
November 8, 2011

NATO Secretary General discusses strengthening Georgia’s defences
N. Kirtskhalia

Tbilisi: Issues of strengthening Georgia’s defences will be discussed during the visit of NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen and his delegation to Tbilisi, Georgia’s representative to NATO Grigol Mgaloblishvili told Georgian TV.

He said that the situation in the Abkhazia and Tskhinvali [South Ossetia] regions of Georgia will be also discussed.

“The reforms in Georgia to strengthen its defence sector is in a very active process and the militarisation in South Ossetia and Abkhazia as well as human rights violations will be also discussed,” Mr Mgaloblishvili said.

He said that the visit of Mr Rasmussen and NATO council representatives reflect NATO’s support for Georgia. The visit will take place from November 9-10.

“The visit of the NATO delegation shows it is actively taking into consideration these issues not only in Brussels or Washington, but also in Tbilisi and shows the alliance is interested in events taking place in Georgia,” Mr Mgaloblishvili said.

He said that NATO supports the integration processes in Georgia.

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NATO Missile Shield Threat To Region: Iran

http://www.presstv.ir/detail/208933.html

Press TV
November 7, 2011

‘NATO missile shield threat to region’

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad says Ankara’s decision to host the NATO missile shield on its soil jeopardizes the interests of the country and the entire region.

“We believe that this issue (NATO missile shield) has been imposed upon the Turkish nation,” said Ahmadinejad in a Monday interview with Egyptian daily al-Akhbar and in response to a question about the NATO radar system being installed in Turkey.

Turkey announced its bid to host the missile shield on September 2.

While Ankara says NATO’s missile system aims to strengthen the alliance’s “defense capacity and strengthen [Turkey's] national defense system,” and does not target any specific country, Russia has criticized the plan as a NATO effort to advance eastward.

Turkey’s collaboration would mark another step in the direction of the deployment “of the European segment of a global US missile defense system,” said the Russian Foreign Ministry.

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NATO Implementing Interceptor Missile Shield For Armed Forces In Europe

http://www.nc3a.nato.int/news/Pages/111104-BMD.aspx

North Atlantic Treaty Organization
November 4, 2011

NATO contracts missile defence upgrades

​Brussels: The NATO Air Command and Control System Management Agency on behalf of the NATO Active Layered Theatre Ballistic Missile Defence Programme Office (ALTBMD PO) and in coordination with the NATO C3 Agency, signed today a contract with ThalesRaytheonSystems (TRS) to implement operator identified requirements in NATO’s Interim Theatre Ballistic Missile Defence Capability.

The contract will upgrade the operational hardware and software of the interim capability to the standards being implemented in the latest configuration of NATO’s Air Command and Control System (ACCS).

Industry engineers from TRS will work in support of the ALTBMD programme to deliver an upgraded interim capability that will serve NATO’s operational needs for the next several years and can also form the basis of an interim territorial ballistic missile defence capability.

The results of the work will be implemented in the NATO command and control network within the next six months to broaden the capabilities of the NATO Commander to perform ballistic missile defence missions.

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Earlier this year Team TRS engineers from companies across Europe and US formed a core technical team that started work to define the next steps of the ALTBMD Programme – the TBMD Initial Operational Capability.

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U.S., NATO Move Ahead With MEADS Interceptor Missile Test

http://www.upi.com/Business_News/Security-Industry/2011/11/07/MEADS-testing-authorized/UPI-40881320676094/?spt=hs&or=si

Uinited Press International
November 7, 2011

MEADS testing authorized

ORLANDO, Fla.- The armaments directors of Germany, Italy and the United States approved a contract amendment that funds MEADS intercept tests.

The amended contract for the Medium Extended Air Defense System also provides for a Launcher Missile Characterization Test and a Sensor Characterization Test before the MEADS Design and Development contract ends in 2014.

The program remains within the funding limit authorized by the three nations in the 2004 MEADS Memorandum of Understanding.

“We remain focused on executing the flight tests approved by the National Armaments Directors on time and on budget,” said MEADS International President Dave Berganini. “Our goal is to demonstrate the advanced capabilities of MEADS, including its open, network-centric architecture, non-proprietary software and plug-and-fight capabilities.”

MEADS will conduct a launcher missile characterization test at White Sands Missile Range, N.M. To demonstrate the 360-degree engagement capability of the MEADS launcher, the test includes an unprecedented over-the-shoulder launch of a Patriot Advanced Capability-3 Missile Segment Enhancement Missile against a simulated target that attacks from a rear quadrant.

Two intercept flight tests are included in the remaining contract scope of work. A first intercept test against an air-breathing threat is planned for White Sands Missile Range in late 2012.

In late 2013, MEADS will conduct a tactical ballistic missile intercept test, preceded by a sensor characterization test…

MEADS International, a multinational joint venture with headquarters in Orlando, Fla., is the prime contractor for the MEADS system. Major subcontractors and joint venture partners are MBDA in Italy, LFK in Germany and Lockheed Martin in the United States.

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Russia Concerned Over U.S. Warships In Northern Seas

http://english.ruvr.ru/2011/11/08/60044968.html

Interfax
November 8, 2011

Russia concerned over U.S. warships in northern seas

       
Plans to temporarily deploy U.S. warships in northern seas have aroused deep concern in Russia, Kremlin’s ambassador to NATO Dmitry Rogozin announced at a meeting with servicemen of the Western Military District in the town of Luga (Leningrad region) on Monday.

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http://en.rian.ru/russia/20111108/168513774.html

Russian Information Agency Novosti
November 8, 2011

Russia to build up submarine task force along Northern Sea Route

MOSCOW: Russia will increase its submarine task force in the area around the Northern Sea Route, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday.

“We will, of course, be building up our [submarine] task force, ensuring the country’s security in the northern region,” he said.

New submarines are entering service with the Russian Navy, he said, adding that the Northern Sea Route is one of Russia’s priority transport lanes.

“We will be setting up a network of support bases along the entire Northern Sea Route where Emergency Ministry officers will be deployed to respond promptly and efficiently to any unexpected developments along the Northern Sea Route,” Putin said.

The Russian Federal Border Agency said in March it planned to establish a monitoring network in the Arctic, from Novaya Zemlya to Wrangel Island, to ensure effective control over the Arctic.

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NATO Fighters Scrambled Against Russian Planes Near Kaliningrad

http://www.focus-fen.net/index.php?id=n263831

Focus News Agency
November 8, 2011

Russian planes spark NATO scramble in Baltic

Vilnius: NATO jets were scrambled Monday as four Russian air force planes flew near the territory of the Baltic states, Lithuania’s defence ministry said, adding that the unusual number was a cause for concern, AFP reported.

Defence ministry spokeswoman Ugne Naujokaityte said that four Danish F-16 fighters, which currently police the skies of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, took to the air twice to escort the Russian planes.

Two AN26 transport aircraft and a TU134 bomber ***flew in succession from Russia’s Baltic territory of Kaliningrad to Russia itself***, and an IL20 intelligence-gathering plane flew in the opposite direction.

While their path over neutral waters did not ultimately encroach on the Baltic states’ airspace, the flurry of flights was unusual in an area that normally sees only a few Russian aircraft transit every few weeks.

“The intensity of these Russian planes’ flights raises concern. It ***proves once again the importance and necessity of the NATO air police mission in Baltic states***,” Naujokaityte said.

The Baltic states…joined NATO in 2004.

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“Cruel And Barbaric Act”: NATO Troops Kill Afghan Civilian, Arrest Others

http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2011/11/07/isaf-kills-civilian-nangarhar

Pajhwok Afghan News
November 7, 2011

ISAF kills civilian in Nangarhar
By Abdul Mueed Hashimi

JALALABAD: International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) soldiers killed a civilian and arrested three others during an overnight operation in the Behsud district of eastern Nangarhar province, an official and residents said on Monday.

The pre-dawn operation was carried out in the Chinyar village at around 2am last night, the district chief, Nimatullah, told Pajhwok Afghan News. He said a civilian was killed and three others were arrested by foreign troops.

Tribal elder Malak Wilayat told Pajhwok Afghan News that Mohammad Zahir, a local resident, was killed in his house. He said the detainees included a police officer and a shopkeeper.

Zahir’s brother, Malak Aziz, said the foreign troops first raided the house of a doctor named Yousaf and then entered their house. He said his brother was killed without any reason and question. He said the troops were on foot while helicopters were hovering over the area.

Malak Aziz said his brother was a labourer and had no link with any group. “His murder was a cruel and barbaric act,” he said.

ISAF has issued no statement about the operation.

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NATO Trains Iraqi Officers At Battle Staff Training School

http://www.arrc.nato.int/training_mission_iraq/page16850328.aspx

NATO Training Mission-Iraq
November 3, 2011

Thirty-three Iraqi Officers graduate from Battle Staff Course

Taji, Iraq: On 3d of November, a graduation ceremony was held at the Iraqi Battle Staff Training (BST) School, Taji, to award thirty-three Iraqi Officers their certificates on the successful completion of the BST Course. The course, which was conducted by NTM-I trainers, was developed for battalion-level commanders and included map reading, staff procedures, signal procedures, the military decision-making process and order production. This course was the first to include a computer-simulated military exercise.
   
“The participants of previous BST Courses had noted in their feedback that they would like to have a “field” exercise to check their knowledge,” said BST course coordinator Lt.Col. Viktor Semeniuk. “Computer military simulation provided the excellent possibility for Iraqi officers to deepen their knowledge and understanding of the military decision making process.”

During the exercise, several groups of Iraqi students played the roles of brigade staff, battalion tactical operations centre staff, company headquarters staff, military police, enemy troops and more. In the virtual environment, Iraqi officers implemented Battalion orders.

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After the graduation, each student received a DVD of course material to allow them to spread their knowledge to their parent Units. NTM-I trainers also recommended the best course participants as candidates to become trainers.

The NATO Training Mission in Iraq (NTM-I) was established in 2004…The aim of NTM-I is to assist in the development of Iraqi security forces training structures and institutions…

NTM-I…is a distinct training mission, under the political control of NATO’s North Atlantic Council. Its operational emphasis is on training and mentoring. The activities of the mission are coordinated with Iraqi authorities and the Office for Security and Cooperation-Iraq (OSC-I) Chief, who is also dual-hatted as the Commander of NTM-I. NATO has an enduring commitment to Iraq.

NTM-I advises and supports the Defence University for Military Studies, National Defence College, War College, and the Defence Language Institute with the other institutions in Baghdad. Other cooperation projects for NATO in Iraq are out-of-country training courses for Iraqi nationals at NATO schools as well as the Iraqi Police (Iraqi Federal Police and Oil Police) training led by Italian Carabinieri.

Currently, NTM-I is a small tactical force of NATO/PfP personnel, representing 13 member nations (as of October 2011): Albania, Bulgaria, Denmark, Estonia, Italy, Lithuania, Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Turkey, Ukraine (Partner for Peace), UK, USA.

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U.S. AFRICOM Plans 30-Nation Exercise For African Standby Force

http://www.africom.mil/getArticle.asp?art=7411&lang=0

U.S. Africa Command
November 7, 2011

Lesotho hosts Africa Endeavor 2012 planning conference
By Major Paula Kurtz
U.S. AFRICOM Public Affairs

MASERU, Lesotho: Defense representatives from more than 30 African nations joined together in Maseru, Lesotho, November 7-11, 2011, to participate in the initial planning conference for next year’s Africa Endeavor.

Africa Endeavor is an annual U.S. Africa Command-sponsored communications exercise focused on building interoperability and information sharing among African nations.

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Although the location of the 2012 exercise is pending final confirmation, the initial planning conference is being hosted by the Kingdom of Lesotho…

“The Africa Endeavor seeks to assist the African Union members to translate its operational requirements into capacity building opportunities for the African Standby Force…”

U.S. Ambassador to Lesotho Michele Bond reflected on the milestones reached since the inception of Africa Endeavor in 2006 and the impact this effort will have in the future.

“…These relationships enhance the ability of African nations to support multinational operations…”

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SCO: Vehicle For China, Russia To Defend Themselves Against West

http://www.globaltimes.cn/NEWS/tabid/99/ID/682918/Nurturing-SCO-growth-and-independence.aspx

Global Times
November 8, 2011

Nurturing SCO growth and independence

-It is not worthwhile for China to fight with Russia within the SCO. The two countries are both independent global powers and their relationship has a profound effect on the world stage. The strategic risks they face exist outside Asia.
-Russia is a serious strategic partner for China. As long as this relationship is maintained, both countries will find it easier to assert themselves globally.
The West cannot threaten these countries individually, let alone united.

Monday, the leaders of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) countries met in St. Petersburg. Some Western media have been caustic in appraising the organization. The SCO boasts two big powers, China and Russia, and four central Asian countries as members, and now has several major Asian countries as observers. Others are lining up for membership. While facing complex external pressures, cooperation within the SCO is progressing apace.

China holds the absolute economic advantage in the SCO, but Russia is ahead of China in several other aspects. SCO holds practical functions for China, such as anti-terrorism. It is also a platform to extend the Sino-Russian strategic partnership and acts as a stage for China to attune its broad diplomatic ability with its growing clout.

Internationally there is often discussion about who is the true leader of the SCO between China and Russia? At present, China is not capable of leading the SCO yet and should perhaps not have such ambitions.

It is not worthwhile for China to fight with Russia within the SCO. The two countries are both independent global powers and their relationship has a profound effect on the world stage. The strategic risks they face exist outside Asia. The SCO should be a place for China and Russia to come together and smooth over small differences.

Russia is a serious strategic partner for China. As long as this relationship is maintained, both countries will find it easier to assert themselves globally.

The West cannot threaten these countries individually, let alone united. Even if both countries value their relations with the West dearly, China and Russia are friends. It is one important reason why the West emphasizes and respects the two countries. 

However, as the gap in economic strength between the two countries widens, Russia may make subtle changes in its attitude toward China. It is hard to say that the Sino-Russian relationship will remain as it is. As neighbors, the two play roles in each other’s development.

China should bind with Russia as much as possible through the SCO, rather than proving that it surpasses Russia in certain aspects. Its strategic aims within the SCO should remain modest and work to increase common interests. 

China can be broad-minded, but its control of the SCO is limited. The organization may not always go where we wish it to. This is a reality China must accept.

The adjustment of the global forum politic is being largely influenced by China’s rise.

Therefore, developing a sense of laissez-faire should become a crucial component of China’s political and diplomatic strategies.

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Russia Endorses Full SCO Membership For Pakistan

http://www.dawn.com/2011/11/07/russia-endorses-full-sco-membership-for-pakistan.html

Associated Press of Pakistan
November 7, 2011

Russia endorses full SCO membership for Pakistan

ST. PETERSBURG: Russia on Monday, for the first time, publicly endorsed Pakistan’s bid to get full membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin made this announcement in response to Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani’s address at the 10th Heads of Government meeting of SCO, at the Constantine Palace.

The Russian Premier also supported Prime Minister Gilani’s proposals for implementing trade and energy projects.

He announced financing 0.5 billion US dollars for the CASA-1000 [Central Asia South Asia Electricity Trade and Transmission Project] that would ensure power transmission from Turkmenistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan to Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Putin said in practical and tangible terms that Russia wants materialization of projects including the TAPI (Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India) gas pipeline project and the Central Asia South Asia Electricity Trade and Transmission Project (CASA 1000).

Later, the two leaders held a bilateral meeting and discussed several important issues including the fight against terrorism and extremism, besides calling for the need to adopt a regional approach towards dealing with major challenges.

Russian Premier Putin termed his meeting with Prime Minister Gilani “very pleasant” and expressed satisfaction over bilateral and trade ties between the two countries.

“Pakistan is important for us in trade and the economy and it is an important partner in South Asia and in the Islamic world,” he told Prime Minister Gilani.

Putin offered Russia’s assistance in the expansion of Pakistan’s steel mills and provision of technical support for the Guddu and Muzaffargarh power plants.

He said Russia could facilitate Pakistan in the execution of the Thar Coal Project.

Gilani said this was his fourth meeting with Prime Minister Putin. He mentioned that he joined other leaders at the SCO forum despite the occasion of Eid, because of the importance of the forum and also of Pakistan’s commitment to regional issues.

He appreciated Russia’s support for mega projects including CASA-1000.

Putin supported Pakistan’s stance on the war on terror and agreed to pursue the policy of counter-terrorism for ensuring regional peace.

The two Prime Ministers agreed that collective regional efforts were required to eliminate terrorism from the region to usher in peace and stability, and re-direct all energies towards economic interaction among the members of SCO.

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