ID :
188260
Mon, 06/13/2011 - 16:50
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/188260
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Diplomatic (Pak-Afghan sign Islamabad declaration)
Islamabad (PPI) - Pakistan and Afghanistan have signed Islamabad Declaration envisaging a comprehensive framework of cooperation in diverse fields. Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar and Afghanistan Foreign Minister signed the declaration on behalf of their respective governments.
Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani and Afghan President Hamid Karzai also present on the occasion.
The Leaders of the two countries agreed that the qualitative improvement in bilateral relations signified full trust and a mutual desire to take practical steps to promote expand and deepen economic and trade cooperation.
They agreed to enhance connectivity and infrastructure development; initiate cooperation in the sectors of energy, mines and minerals; and significantly enhance cultural, parliamentary, student, youth and people-to-people contacts.
They reaffirmed their resolve to work together for ensuring durable peace, security and stability and eliminating the menace of terrorism and militancy.
The Leaders expressed their satisfaction on the establishment of the two-tier Joint Commission mechanism for facilitating and promoting reconciliation and peace in Afghanistan.
Both sides expressed their satisfaction on the signing and ratification of the new Afghanistan-Pakistan Transit Trade Agreement (APTTA) and the successful finalization of the modalities and mechanism for its implementation.
They agreed to continue to take all necessary steps to ensure that this Agreement is fully implemented and that it contributes to the growth of trade.
They agreed to initiate consultations with other interested states to establish trade transit and facilitation mechanisms and arrangements that would enable their Central Asian neighbours to use overland routes through Afghanistan and Pakistan to the world.
The two countries agreed to promote cooperation in the financial and banking sectors and, in particular, initiate consultations for the establishment of a Joint Investment Company for undertaking joint development projects in both countries.
Pakistan and Afghanistan agreed to take steps for establishing Special Economic and Industrial Zones, and to work together for the speedy realization of the Reconstruction Opportunity Zones.
It was agreed to work towards developing a framework of cooperation on infrastructure development. It was noted that the Torkham-Jalalabad Expressway was nearing completion and agreed that necessary steps will be taken to jointly expand this Expressway to Herat through central Afghanistan.
Also, steps will be initiated to establish a rail link between Peshawar and Jalalabad, which should then connect to Afghanistan's north-south and east-west rail network.
Both sides expressed satisfaction on the development of aviation links and decided to increase the frequency and scope of these links.
Both sides welcomed the participation of the international community, in particular of the corporate sector, for working the economic agenda; establishment of project consortiums, on commercially-feasible projects in the fields of energy, transport, agriculture, mines & minerals and in other sectors.
It was agreed that the corporate sector must be the driver for economic growth and development.
Both sides attached considerable importance to the early finalization of the process for establishment of the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline project, and to the speedy implementation of the CASA-1000 power transmission line.
They agreed to commence consultations for developing a framework for cooperation in hydro-electric power generation and transmission projects for mutual benefit.
The two countries would form a Joint Commission with appropriate representation to address the prisoners' issue.
Both sides expressed satisfaction on the implementation of the 2,000 scholarships scheme offered by Pakistan for Afghan students, out of which 900 Afghan students have already availed themselves of the facilities in education in specialized disciplines such as medicine and engineering.
The Afghan side expressed gratitude to Pakistan for this generous contribution, particularly for including the disciplines of medicine and engineering in the scholarship scheme.
They agreed to consult on abolition of visas for holders of diplomatic passports. To promote bilateral trade and investment, both sides also agreed to issue multiple visit visas of one year duration to traders and investors.
Both sides agreed to start regular youth exchange programmes whereby youth from both countries would undertake visits. Similar exchange programmes will be established for women, media and both sides will enhance sporting contacts and cultural exchanges.
They also agreed to develop cooperation in the fields of health and health sciences, including the establishment of 50 basic health units in Afghanistan by Pakistan; visits by specialists from both sides to each other's premier medical universities and hospitals; setting up of health camps; and treatment facilities for Afghans in Pakistani hospitals as well as enrolment of Afghan students, especially girls, in Pakistan's medical colleges and para- medical training institutions. Both sides agreed to consult and cooperate on counter-narcotics.
Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani and Afghan President Hamid Karzai also present on the occasion.
The Leaders of the two countries agreed that the qualitative improvement in bilateral relations signified full trust and a mutual desire to take practical steps to promote expand and deepen economic and trade cooperation.
They agreed to enhance connectivity and infrastructure development; initiate cooperation in the sectors of energy, mines and minerals; and significantly enhance cultural, parliamentary, student, youth and people-to-people contacts.
They reaffirmed their resolve to work together for ensuring durable peace, security and stability and eliminating the menace of terrorism and militancy.
The Leaders expressed their satisfaction on the establishment of the two-tier Joint Commission mechanism for facilitating and promoting reconciliation and peace in Afghanistan.
Both sides expressed their satisfaction on the signing and ratification of the new Afghanistan-Pakistan Transit Trade Agreement (APTTA) and the successful finalization of the modalities and mechanism for its implementation.
They agreed to continue to take all necessary steps to ensure that this Agreement is fully implemented and that it contributes to the growth of trade.
They agreed to initiate consultations with other interested states to establish trade transit and facilitation mechanisms and arrangements that would enable their Central Asian neighbours to use overland routes through Afghanistan and Pakistan to the world.
The two countries agreed to promote cooperation in the financial and banking sectors and, in particular, initiate consultations for the establishment of a Joint Investment Company for undertaking joint development projects in both countries.
Pakistan and Afghanistan agreed to take steps for establishing Special Economic and Industrial Zones, and to work together for the speedy realization of the Reconstruction Opportunity Zones.
It was agreed to work towards developing a framework of cooperation on infrastructure development. It was noted that the Torkham-Jalalabad Expressway was nearing completion and agreed that necessary steps will be taken to jointly expand this Expressway to Herat through central Afghanistan.
Also, steps will be initiated to establish a rail link between Peshawar and Jalalabad, which should then connect to Afghanistan's north-south and east-west rail network.
Both sides expressed satisfaction on the development of aviation links and decided to increase the frequency and scope of these links.
Both sides welcomed the participation of the international community, in particular of the corporate sector, for working the economic agenda; establishment of project consortiums, on commercially-feasible projects in the fields of energy, transport, agriculture, mines & minerals and in other sectors.
It was agreed that the corporate sector must be the driver for economic growth and development.
Both sides attached considerable importance to the early finalization of the process for establishment of the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline project, and to the speedy implementation of the CASA-1000 power transmission line.
They agreed to commence consultations for developing a framework for cooperation in hydro-electric power generation and transmission projects for mutual benefit.
The two countries would form a Joint Commission with appropriate representation to address the prisoners' issue.
Both sides expressed satisfaction on the implementation of the 2,000 scholarships scheme offered by Pakistan for Afghan students, out of which 900 Afghan students have already availed themselves of the facilities in education in specialized disciplines such as medicine and engineering.
The Afghan side expressed gratitude to Pakistan for this generous contribution, particularly for including the disciplines of medicine and engineering in the scholarship scheme.
They agreed to consult on abolition of visas for holders of diplomatic passports. To promote bilateral trade and investment, both sides also agreed to issue multiple visit visas of one year duration to traders and investors.
Both sides agreed to start regular youth exchange programmes whereby youth from both countries would undertake visits. Similar exchange programmes will be established for women, media and both sides will enhance sporting contacts and cultural exchanges.
They also agreed to develop cooperation in the fields of health and health sciences, including the establishment of 50 basic health units in Afghanistan by Pakistan; visits by specialists from both sides to each other's premier medical universities and hospitals; setting up of health camps; and treatment facilities for Afghans in Pakistani hospitals as well as enrolment of Afghan students, especially girls, in Pakistan's medical colleges and para- medical training institutions. Both sides agreed to consult and cooperate on counter-narcotics.
