ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Pakistan and Afghanistan have agreed to open a new chapter of friendship and cooperation based on mutual trust and harmony for the benefit of the people of two Countries, and for advancing the cause of peace, stability and prosperity in the region.
The agreement came during a one-on-one meeting between Prime Minister Imran Khan and the Afghan President Ashraf Ghani in Islamabad on Thursday followed by delegation-level talks.
The two leaders exchanged views on the entire gamut of bilateral relations.
Prime Minister @ImranKhanPTI and President @ashrafghani one-on-one meeting has started in Islamabad. Afghanistan peace process, border security situation and bilateral trade issues being discussed ! pic.twitter.com/CWzkWOAjDd
— PTI (@PTIofficial) June 27, 2019
The prime minister affirmed that Pakistan remained committed to bring about a qualitative transformation in Pakistan-Afghanistan relations as part of his vision of a “peaceful neighbourhood.”
The two leaders agreed on the importance of crafting a forward-looking vision of Pakistan-Afghanistan relations.
Imran Khan reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to support the Afghan peace process as a shared responsibility. He underlined that an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process was the only viable option to end decades-long conflict in Afghanistan. In this regard, Pakistan supports a result-oriented intra-Afghan dialogue.
The prime minister underscored Pakistan’s respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Afghanistan and its commitment to stand by the Afghan people at this crucial juncture. He added that Pakistan remains committed to a peaceful, stable, democratic and prosperous Afghanistan and wishes to have stronger political, trade, economic, and people-to-people relations with Afghanistan.
Delegations level meeting started between Pakistan and Afghanistan. The delegations are led by Prime Minister @ImranKhanPTI and President @ashrafghani #PTI pic.twitter.com/4IkJ50ziqp
— PTI (@PTIofficial) June 27, 2019
The two leaders agreed that enduring peace in Afghanistan would bring rich economic dividends to both the countries. They reaffirmed their commitment to work together to broaden and deepen bilateral trade, streamline transit trade, and strengthen efforts for connectivity.
It was recognized that early completion of major energy connectivity projects such as Central Asia-South Asia electricity transmission line and Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India gas pipeline will bring long-term economic benefits to the countries involved. Further ways of strengthening trade, infrastructure and energy connectivity were explored.
It was agreed to optimally utilize the existing mechanisms, including Afghanistan-Pakistan Transit Trade Coordination Authority and Joint Economic Commission, to remove difficulties in transit and bilateral trade and to explore new possibilities of mutually-beneficial economic and commercial relations.
There was also an exchange of views on regional issues.
The prime minister shared his vision for peace, progress and prosperity in South Asia.
