At the invitation of His Excellency Hamid Karzai, President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, H.E. General Pervez Musharraf, President of The Islamic Republic of Pakistan, paid an official visit to Kabul from 6 to 7 September 2006. During the visit, the two presidents and their respected delegation held in-dept discussions over matters of bilateral concern, as well as regional and international issues.

The talks between the two leaders were held in a cordial atmosphere and were characterized by frankness, in the spirit of the brotherly relations of the two countries. The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to further consolidate, expand and deepen the friendship and co-operation in all dimensions between the two countries.

The two leaders agreed that extremism, terrorism and the phenomenon of Talibanization were a common threat to both Afghanistan and Pakistan, as it is a danger to the region. They re-affirmed their commitment to further intensify their co-operation and coordination in jointly fighting these threats. They emphasized that the greatest challenge facing both societies was progress and socio-economic development. No forces must be allowed, they agreed, to impede progress towards this goal.

President Karzai welcomed President Musharraf’s strong commitment to help Afghanistan fight terrorism. In this context, President Karzai appreciated the recent agreement between the government of Pakistan and the Pakistani Taliban in North Waziristan, which forbids, among other things, the cross border infiltration of Taliban into Afghanistan.

Both leaders also agreed to continue their cooperation within the framework Of the international coalition against terrorism.

Both the leaders recognized that great opportunities existed for progress and economic development in the region for which it was essential that there is peace and stability. Both countries expressed their resolve to play their part to seize and promote these opportunities.

President Karzai expressed the gratitude of the Afghan people to Pakistan for hosting millions of Afghan refugees during the Jihad and for continuing to host large number of refugees until now.

On 7 September, President Musharraf also addressed a gathering of prominent Afghan personalities, including members of the Government and Parliament.

In honor of President Musharraf’s visit, President Karzai also hosted a banquet in the evening of 6 September which was attended, apart from members of the Pakistani delegation, by a large number of Afghan personalities and representatives of the diplomatic corps in Kabul.

President Musharraf expressed thanks for the warm hospitality extended to him, his wife and the Pakistani delegation during their stay in Kabul, and extended a cordial invitation to President Karzai to visit Pakistan. President Karzai accepted the invitation with thanks, and the dates for his visit to Pakistan will be finalized through the diplomatic channels.

Kabul, September 07, 2006