ISLAMABAD, November 20. /TASS/. Russia offered Pakistan to make mutual visits of warships more frequent, Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu said after talks with Pakistani counterpart Khawaja Asif on Thursday.

“We stated that cooperation between the navies of the two countries was developing successfully. We have considered an opportunity to draft a memorandum on naval co-operation. Russia offered to expand the practice of calls by warships at ports in Russia and Pakistan,” Shoigu said.

Other opportunities for broader bilateral military cooperation were also discussed at talks, particularly a rise in exchange of delegation visits, participation in military exercises as observers, training of military staff, sharing of experience in peacekeeping and the fight against terrorism and piracy.

Talks with Asif were held in a constructive and friendly atmosphere, Shoigu noted. “This approach promotes consistent intensification of military cooperation between Russia and Pakistan,” the minister added.

The Russian defense minister thanked the Pakistani counterpart for an invitation to visit Islamabad and Pakistan’s consent to participate in competitions of pilots and tank operators in 2015.

“I hope that our close cooperation will continue,” Shoigu added.

The Russian defense minister visited Pakistan for the first time in several decades. Soviet Defense Minister Andrey Grechko visited that country back in 1969.