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Pakistan, Afghanistan not to use territories against each others

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Islamabad, June 26, IRNA -- Pakistan and Afghanistan Friday agreed not to allow their territories for use against each others’ interests.

In a joint statement issued at the end of a 2-day visit to Islamabad by Afghan Foreign Minister Dr. Zalmai Rassoul, both countries reaffirmed their commitment to enhance cooperation and coordination bilaterally as well as within the framework of regional and international agreements to counter terrorism.

“They emphasized the need to strengthen further economic and commercial ties and to facilitate trade and transit, with a view to realizing the full potential of the two countries”.

They agreed to take all possible steps to increase the current volume of bilateral trade (currently US$ 1.5 billion) to US$ 5 billion by 2015 as agreed during President Karzai’s visit to Pakistan on 10-11 March 2010.

Both countries reiterated that bilateral relations of the two countries were based on respect for each other’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and non-interference in internal affairs.

Dr. Zalmai Rassoul provided a detailed briefing on the outcome of the Afghan Peace Jirga, held at Kabul on 2-4 June 2010, the joint statement said.

Pakistan reaffirmed full support to the roadmap announced by President Hamid Karzai and to the Afghan-owned and Afghan-led process of reconciliation.

Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to work closely with Afghanistan as well as the international community for sustainable peace, stability and development in Afghanistan.

Foreign Minister Qureshi assured all cooperation and assistance to ensure the success of the forthcoming Kabul Conference, scheduled for 20 July 2010.

The two Foreign Ministers expressed satisfaction over the current state of bilateral relations but felt that various institutional frameworks needed to be evolved to give further impetus to bilateral cooperation in various areas.

They focused especially on the threat of terrorism, extremism and militancy, bilateral cooperation in political and economic fields and regional and international issues of common concern.

The Ministers agreed to establish a “Joint Commission on Border Cooperation and Visa Regime” to facilitate and oversee the cross-border movement of humans and vehicles. Ministers of Interior will co-chair this Commission once a year.