Presidential Palace, Kabul - H.E. Hamid Karzai, President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, and his accompanying delegation returned this afternoon from his official visit to Islamabad, Pakistan.
During his visit, the President held talks with H.E. Pervez Musharraf, the President, H.E. Shaukat Aziz, the Prime Minister, H.E. Khurshid Kasuri, the Foreign Minister of Pakistan, and attended the official ceremony marking 23rd of March, Pakistan Day. On behalf of the Afghan people, the President thanked Pakistan for its friendship and support over the past three years and for being a second home for millions of Afghans over many years. The President particularly highlighted Pakistan's cooperation in facilitating the participation of Afghan refugees in last October's Presidential Elections, and in carrying out effective campaign against terrorism.
Issues of bilateral interest that were discussed during the visit include the following: 1. bilateral trade; 2. Afghanistan's provision of transit facility to Pakistani goods exported to Central Asia; 3. Pakistan's provision of greater access to sea ports for Afghanistan's imports and exports; 4. The Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan pipeline; 5. Cooperation in the war against terrorism; and so on.
On behalf of the Afghan Government, the ministers of Foreign Affairs and Transport signed the following agreements with the relevant ministries from the Pakistani Government:
- Protocol on Regular Consultations between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Afghanistan and Pakistan
- Agreement on Cultural Cooperation
- Agreement on Media Cooperation
- Agreement on Tourism
- Agreement on Bus Service between Peshawar and Jalalabad
- Agreement on Bus Service between Quetta and Kandahar
The Presidents of Afghanistan and Pakistan concurred that the two should work together for even stronger and more comprehensive partnership between the two countries. Such partnership will be in the interest of defeating terrorism and violence, as well as providing prosperity to the people of the region.
The President of Afghanistan is extremely pleased to have been able to visit Pakistan and is certain that this visit will further strengthen the deep and fraternal relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan. The President is grateful to the Pakistani Government for extending a very warm welcome during the visit.
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