Rawalpindi/Ankara (APP): Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Tuesday visited Ataturk Mausoleum in Ankara and laid a wreath to pay homage to the father of Turkish nation and penned down his respects in the visitor’s book, said a statement issued by Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the military’s public relations wing.
According to ISPR statement, the COAS visited Turkish Land Force Headquarters where he was received by General Salih Zeki €olak, Commander Turkish Land Forces and was presented guard of honour.
At the Turkish Land Force Headquarters, the COAS was briefed on the regional security situation as well as the Turkish Land Forces and their various undertakings in fields of training, defence production and peacekeeping operations.
The COAS was awarded the Legion of Merit in a simple and graceful ceremony in recognition of his services for promotion of Pakistan-Turkey defence ties.
Speaking on the occasion, the COAS underscored the special place that Turkey enjoys in the hearts of all Pakistanis.
He dedicated the award to the Shuhada (martyrs) of both Pakistani and Turkish armed forces.
Later, the COAS called on Chief of Turkish General Staff General Hulusi Akar and discussed matters related to regional security and the role armed forces of both countries play towards peace and stability.
The two military leaders agreed to further enhance defence cooperation in multiple fields. The Turkish military leadership was greatly appreciative of the role Pakistan Army plays against terrorism as well as in peace keeping operations and as a factor of stability in a very volatile region.