ISLAMABAD - A spokesman of the ministry of defence Wednesday said that no airline could enter into negotiation with foreign countries without the approval of the ministry. Commenting on the reports about a deal between PIA management and CEO of Turkish Airlines, the spokesman clarified that a record of discussions (RoD), which was signed between PIA management and CEO of Turkish Airline on December 29, 2010, at PIAs Headquarters, Karachi, could not be termed as a memorandum of understanding (MoU), which was only the prerogative of the government to negotiate. He said that the discussions - including points on traffic rights and commercial and technical arrangements - were, in fact, beyond the purview of the airline to discuss. He said that the ministry had made it clear to all concerned that the RoD did not have any legal validity as its name suggested and was subject to approval of the competent authority. The RoD is being evaluated in all its dimensions to determine the implications so that the government might decide appropriately. This entails a comprehensive analysis, which is presently being done by the ministry. After evaluating the pros and cons of the RoD, the ministry would be in a position to determine the appropriate course of action to take vis--vis future bilateral talks and conclusion of a mutually beneficial agreement. It will be ensured that the interests of the aviation sector of Pakistan are secured. The spokesman further clarified that the recent tussle between various associations of PIA vis--vis the management, was an internal matter as the associations had disagreement with management over the financial and commercial aspects of the record of discussion. He said that it should not harm in any way the very close and brotherly relations between Pakistani and Turkish people and their respective governments.