Islamabad, July 2, SPA -- Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz says Pakistan and Bahrain have close defense relations and the recent visit of his Bahrain counterpart to Pakistan will further strengthen the existing friendly relations between the two countries. Aziz was talking to Maj. Gen. Shaikh Mohammad bin Isa Al Khalifa, Commander of Bahrain's National Guard, according to an official statement. The Prime Minister said Bahrain is one of the important countries in the Arab Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) and Pakistan enjoys close and historic relations which will be strengthened further in future. He said Pakistan is keen to promote economic, diplomatic, cultural as well as people-to-people contacts with Bahrain. Maj. Gen. Shaikh Mohammad bin Isa Al-Khalifa, said the recent visit of the Prime Minister of Bahrain was very successful. He said Pakistanis working in Bahrain were contributing towards progress and prosperity of Bahrain and had a positive impact. The Prime Minister said Pakistan and Bahrain can expand defense cooperation in the areas of training and exchange of delegations. Aziz said both Pakistan and Bahrain stand for peace and should work together to strengthen unity of the Muslim Ummah (Nation) and improve its image.--SPA1245 Local Time 0945 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/274018