On the invitation of H.E. Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, H.E. Dr. Rangin Dadfar Spanta, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan paid an official visit to Islamabad from April 22-23, 2008. During his stay, the Foreign Minister of Afghanistan besides holding talks with his counterpart paid courtesy calls on the President, Prime Minister and Speaker of the National Assembly of Pakistan.

In the talks, the Foreign Ministers and their respective delegations discussed a wide range of important subjects pertaining to bilateral cooperation, and regional and global issues of mutual interest as well as focusing on the dire need of combating the common threat of international terrorism and extremism. The talks were very fruitful and took place in warm and cordial atmosphere characteristic of the brotherly close relations between the two countries.

The Foreign Minister of Afghanistan conveyed the felicitation of the leadership of Afghanistan to the people and Government of Pakistan on the transparent and successful democratic elections in Pakistan.

Both the Ministers deliberated on the state of current relations and agreed to give a new beginning to the bilateral relations based on complete mutual trust and understanding. The Foreign Minister of Afghanistan expressed his appreciations for the continuous assistance extended by Pakistan in the ongoing reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts in Afghanistan, especially US$ 300 million economic assistance and the latest offer of 1000 educational scholarships to Afghanistan.

The two Foreign Ministers expressed their satisfaction with the results of the last round of Joint Peace Jirga held in Kabul On August 2007, and decided that the process should be given fresh momentum. In this respect, the Foreign Minister of Pakistan informed that Pakistan would be soon nominating its members for smaller Peace Jirga (Jirga-gai) and will be holding its first meeting in Islamabad, Pakistan.

Both sides reaffirmed their resolve toward intensifying cooperation and coordination between the two nations in the fight against international terrorism and narcotics. In order to achieve further success in this area, emphasis was put upon strengthening the current established mechanisms between the two countries: Quarterly Meeting between Foreign Ministers; Frequent contact on the need basis between both Ministers; Trilateral Military Commission among Afghanistan, Pakistan and NATO; and the need for intelligence sharing and regular information exchange.

In areas of bilateral economic cooperation and commerce, the use of current established mechanisms was agreed upon by both sides. Furthermore, the Afghan side sought assistance in areas such as the import of flour and wheat from Pakistan to Afghanistan; expanding Pakistani investment in Afghanistan; convening regular meetings of ‘Joint Economic Commission’; and allowing the Afghan trucks to transport goods to Pakistani ports.

In order to further accelerate development in the region and in Afghanistan, both Ministers agreed on the importance of convening the 3 rd Regional Economic Cooperation Conference on Afghanistan (RECCA) in Islamabad. In lieu of the importance of Regional Economic Cooperation, Ministers exchanged views on the construction of the perspective Gas Pipe Line among Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan (TAP); Transport of energy from Central Asian countries to Pakistan via Afghanistan; and cooperation in areas of regional commerce, trade and transit.

Both Ministers expressed their commitment to expand and strengthen cooperation toward the Ankara Process; Afghanistan-Pakistan Cooperation known as ‘The Road from Dubai’ facilitated by the Government of Canada and supported by the U.S., and other G8 nations; and implementation of Reconstruction Opportunity Zones (ROZs) projects. Additionally, the Pakistani side responded positively on Afghanistan’s invitation toward their proactive participation and high level representation at the upcoming international ‘Paris Conference’ being held in Paris, France on June 12, 2008. In fact, the Foreign Minister of Pakistan expressed the view that the two nations should convey the same message on issues of mutual interest and benefits at the Paris Conference.

In the meeting, Ministers discussed the issues pertaining to detainees and prisoners and repatriation of Afghan Refugees according to the Tripartite Agreement. The Foreign Minister of Pakistan proposed to bring up this issue at the Paris Conference to seek international community’s assistance in providing proper accommodation for the safe and dignified return of Afghan refugees back to their homes.

At the end, the Foreign Minister of Pakistan accepted the invitation of the Foreign Minister of Afghanistan to visit Afghanistan at his earliest possible convenience.

23 April 2008

Islamabad, Pakistan