Pakistan, Afghanistan agree not to use territories against each others

ISLAMABAD, June 25 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan and Afghanistan Friday agreed not to allow their territories for use against each others' interests.

In a joint statement issued at the end of a 2-day visit to Islamabad by Afghan Foreign Minister Zalmai Rassoul, both countries reaffirmed their commitment to enhance cooperation and coordination bilaterally as well as within the framework of regional and international agreements to counter terrorism.

They emphasized the need to strengthen further economic and commercial ties and to facilitate trade and transit, with a view to realizing the full potential of the two countries, the statement said.

They agreed to take all possible steps to increase the current volume of bilateral trade (currently 1.5 billion U.S. dollars) to 5 billion dollars by 2015 as agreed during President Karzai's visit to Pakistan on March 10-11 2010.

Both countries reiterated that bilateral relations of the two countries were based on respect for each other's sovereignty, territorial integrity and non-interference in internal affairs.

Zalmai Rassoul provided a detailed briefing on the outcome of the Afghan Peace Jirga, held at Kabul on June 2-4 2010, the joint statement said.

Pakistan reaffirmed full support to the roadmap announced by Afghan President Hamid Karzai and to the Afghan-owned and Afghan- led process of reconciliation.

The ministers agreed to establish a "Joint Commission on Border Cooperation and Visa Regime" to facilitate and oversee the cross- border movement of humans and vehicles. Ministers of Interior will co-chair this commission once a year.

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