Islamabad, Kabul to hold biannual talks
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By Our Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD, April 23: Pakistan and Afghanistan agreed on Wednesday to
hold biannual consultations in Islamabad and Kabul alternatively.
This was decided at meeting between Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood
Kasuri and his Afghan counterpart Dr Abdullah Abdullah held at the
foreign office.
During their hour-long meeting, the two officials agreed that the
consultations would provide a forum for regular exchange of views on
bilateral relations and matters of mutual interest and regional
issues, said a statement issued by the foreign office.
"The two foreign ministers agreed that the political consultations
will also provide a forum to monitor overall progress in the promotion
of bilateral co-operation and take follow-up action for smooth conduct
of bilateral relations and removal of irritants, if any, between the
two countries," the statement said.
The two foreign ministers expressed satisfaction at the progress
achieved as a result of the meetings of President Hamid Karzai with
President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Zafarullah Jamali, it
added.
BROAD UNDERSTANDING: "A broad understanding is there. This is not
something new, but this two-day visit and yesterday's meetings
strengthened that resolve," Afghan foreign minister told reporters
after the meeting, adds AFP.