He was talking to Admiral Edouard Guillaud, Military Personal Staff Advisor to French President who called on him at the Prime Minister House on Thursday. While highlighting army operation against the militants in Malakand division and Fata areas, the Prime Minister urged countries like France to extend their full support to Pakistan by providing military equipment and assistance to carry out the anti-terrorist action effectively.
The Prime Minister also warned against the possibility of militants crossing over into the Pakistani territory, particularly in Balochistan in the wake of enhanced deployment of US and Nato forces in Afghanistan. He thanked France for its assistance pledged at Friends of Pakistan meeting in Tokyo for the dislocated people of NWFP and stated that Pakistan was keenly looking forward to the visit of President Sarkozy and signing of two frameworks on defence, security and counter terrorism and on economic and energy fields.
Admiral Guillaud commended the Prime Minister and the government of Pakistan for their determination and resolute action to clear out its soil from terrorists and eliminate extremism. He acknowledged sacrifices rendered by the armed forces of Pakistan.
He assured the Prime Minister that France would provide the military equipment including Tiger helicopters to Pakistan. He hoped that both sides would also make headway on trade, economic co-operation and civil nuclear energy co-operation during the visit of French Secretary of State for Foreign Trade to Pakistan on July 20.