News
Wednesday, November 02, 2011
Trilateral summit agrees to partnership for peace* Pakistan, Afghanistan agree to cooperate in Rabbani assassination probe
* Mull forming a commission to identify problems and prepare a plan for their resolution
ISTANBUL: The trilateral summit of Pakistan, Afghanistan and Turkey concluded in Istanbul on Tuesday on a positive note with three countries signing agreement and memoranda of understandings for cooperation in different areas and expressing willingness to join hands to build a combined partnership to ensure peace and security in the region.
The conference, hosted by Turkish President Abdullah Gul, was attended by President Asif Ali Zardari and Afghan President Hamid Karzai along with the military chiefs, foreign and interior ministers. At the conclusion of the trilateral summit, the three countries signed documents for cooperation at a ceremony witnessed by President Asif Ali Zardari, Afghan President Hamid Karzai and Turkish President Abdullah Gul.
Pakistan and Turkey signed an agreement for currency swap allowing businessmen and trading community to do trade in local currencies. Interior Ministers of the three countries signed an MoU on training cooperation while the nations’ army chiefs signed protocol for conduct of mutual exercises and training courses.
After the signing ceremony, the three presidents told a news conference that as an outcome of the summit, Pakistan and Afghanistan have agreed to evolve a cooperation mechanism for investigations into assassination of Prof Burhanuddin Rabbani. The leaders also discussed possibility of forming a Commission at Foreign Ministers’ level to identify problems confronting the region, preparing a programme for their resolution and ensuring follow up.
President Zardari, while addressing the press conference said Pakistan, Afghanistan and Turkey have agreed to re-energise their efforts in support of peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan. He said Pakistan attaches great importance to the Afghanistan-Pakistan-Turkey Trilateral Summit Process. The president said, “Along with Afghanistan, Pakistan has also suffered immensely on account of terrorism. We, therefore, remain firm in our resolve to eliminate this menace.”
“We have also agreed to strengthen regional economic cooperation through this important trilateral process,” he said, adding, “We have signed between our three countries two important MoUs on cooperation between our respective Ministries of Interiors and our three militaries.”
President Karzai again ruled out peace talks with the Taliban until he knew how to contact the insurgent group, and until then Afghanistan would talk only to Pakistan. “We believe we should talk to Pakistan to find solution to the problem.” Karzai said, “We cannot keep talking to suicide bombers till we have address, telephone number and door to knock at.” President Gul said, “The trilateral process would continue as it is the only way forward for regional cooperation and we can fight problems of the region.” app
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk