Obama, Zardari and Karzai resolve to strengthen their ties

I / Washington May 9, 2009, 12:41 IST

US President Barack Obama and his Afghan and Pakistan counterparts Hamid Karzai and Asif Ali Zardari respectively have resolved to strengthen the strategic partnership between the three countries and reaffirmed their commitments to combat the menace of extremism and terrorism.    

"The three countries resolved to strengthen their strategic partnership based on a shared commitment toward promoting enduring peace, security, stability and economic cooperation in Afghanistan and Pakistan," the US State Department said today, a day after the second tri-lateral meeting of the three countries concluded in Washington.    

The three countries also expressed a shared desire to deepen the strategic dialogue between Afghanistan and Pakistan and to continue the trilateral talks. The US also reaffirmed its strong commitment to the strategic partnerships at the bilateral level with both Pakistan and Afghanistan, the State Department said.    

While the US reiterated its strong support for stability and security of the two countries, Islamabad and Kabul on the other hand agreed to continue the cross-border Jirga process so as to build consensus on matters of mutual interest.

The State Department announced that Afghanistan and Pakistan plan to open Border Coordinator Centers in 2009 in Kandahar Province and another inside the FATA of Pakistan.    

The Foreign Ministers of the two countries signed a Memorandum of Understanding committing themselves to reach an agreement on transit trade agreement.

The US also announced an agreement with Pakistan and Afghanistan to launch a Regional Infrastructure and Trade Development initiative to accelerate needed infrastructure development which will foster economic growth in the border areas of Pakistan and Afghanistan, and promote the regional trade that is so necessary to sustaining growth.    

Afghanistan, Pakistan and the US also agreed to form working groups in the three major areas of food, security and trade corridors. The US also announced its decision to join Afghanistan and Pakistan in accelerating a focused development effort that is expected to create one million short and long-term jobs in the two countries.    

"Afghanistan and Pakistan plan to pursue, with US support, a Joint Action Plan outlining areas of common concern on issues of counter-terrorism, counter-narcotics, law enforcement, border security and management, and rule of law and to look for ways to increase cooperation," the State Department said. The next tri-lateral meeting is scheduled for this fall.