JOINT STATEMENT BETWEEN PAKISTAN AND AFGHANISTAN
ON STRENGTHENING THE PARTNERSHIP
The President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, H.E. Mr. Hamid Karzai visited Pakistan on 15-16 September 2010 at the invitation of President of Pakistan H.E. Asif Ali Zardari. The two leaders held in-depth consultations to strengthen the partnership through enhanced and deepening of bilateral cooperation.
The two leaders:
Affirming the historical, cultural and religious bonds of brotherhood and friendship that exist between the two countries and its peoples.
Reiterating firm resolve for a strong constructive Pakistan-Afghanistan partnership to address the common challenges and promote peace, security and development in the region and beyond.
Recalling their mutually shared vision of the bilateral partnership as enunciated in the Joint Declaration on next steps in Afghanistan-Pakistan Comprehensive Cooperation signed in Islamabad on 12 March 2010 and Joint Declaration on Directions of Bilateral Cooperation signed in Kabul on 6 January 2009.
Also recalling Kabul Declaration on Good Neighborly Relations of 22 December 2002 and successful outcomes of the Kabul Conference of 20 July 2010.
Reaffirming the mutual commitment to respect each other's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, non interference in each others’ internal affairs; consolidate good neighborly relations; and uphold the principles of the United Nations Charter as key principles underline the bilateral relations.
Recognizing that terrorism and extremism are common challenges and a common approach and close cooperation is required to effectively and comprehensively deal with these challenges.
Expressing satisfaction at the increasing understanding and harmony between the two countries on the need of a holistic approach to confront the challenges of terrorism and extremism.
Recognizing the immense potential for harness mutual benefits of the partnership through enhanced bilateral engagement and deepening interaction in diverse fields including security, development, transit, trade, economic and investment linkages, infrastructure and energy connectivity and people to people exchanges.
Emphasizing the need of a coordinated approach to implement the laid down roadmap to strengthen and deepen bilateral interaction.
Agreed on the following course of action to strengthen the partnership:
Strengthening institutional engagement
Develop strong institutional engagement between the two countries based on mutual interests.
Establish, promote and deepen regular high level bilateral dialogue between the relevant institutions in the areas of:
- Security and counter-terrorism,
- Economic cooperation, transit, trade and investment,
- Infra-structure development and connectivity
- Energy linkages
- Capacity Building.
Security Cooperation
Strengthen interaction among the security and counter-terrorism institutions for promoting effective cooperation.
Hold regular dialogue in the area of security and counter-terrorism cooperation through exchanges between the relevant institutions and greater information and intelligence sharing.
Explore long term institutional arrangements for capacity building and joint training programmes for security institutions.
Economic cooperation, transit, trade and investment
Develop a joint approach to realizing enormous potential of bilateral economic, transit, trade and investment cooperation.
Take measures within the respective policies to expand bilateral economic cooperation, transit, trade and investment linkages.
The Commerce Ministries to focus on joint efforts to take measures to achieve the goal of enhancing bilateral trade to more than $5 billion by 2015 through effective trade promotion and facilitation measures.
Welcome the conclusion of negotiations on Afghanistan Pakistan Transit Trade Agreement (APTTA) in July 2010 and to ensure its early signing and implementation for the benefit of the two countries’ economies and beyond. Both sides expressed their readiness for prompt implementation of APTTA.
Hold regular sessions of the bilateral economic commission on an annual basis to keep the momentum on promoting economic and commercial relations.
Expedite action on already agreed measures such as establishment of a Silk Route CEOs Forum, Pakistan-Afghanistan Reconstruction Consortium, Economic and Industrial Zones and a Pakistan-Afghanistan Joint Investment Company.
Infra-structure development and connectivity
Focus on infrastructure development and rail-road connectivity to complement economic, transit, trade and investment linkages.
Develop a joint approach including a roadmap to promote infrastructure development between the two countries and connecting the infrastructure along side the two countries to facilitate movement of people, transit, trade and commercial activities.
Undertake the following projects on priority basis:
- Peshawar-Jalalabad rail link
- Quetta-Kandahar rail link
- Build modern facilities at Landi Kotal-Torkhem and Chaman-Spinboldak.
Energy Linkages
Develop a comprehensive strategy to promote energy sector cooperation and projects
Work out a long term plan to implement trans-Afghan energy transmission projects.
Capacity Building
Devise long term capacity building programmes for Afghans in different areas of social sector development.
Education: Develop a joint approach to effectively utilize the 2,000 scholarships for Afghan students in Pakistani institutions by 2012.
Workout a plan for grant of scholarships to Afghan students at Pakistani educational institutions for 2012-15.
Explore cooperation in promoting vocational training centres in Afghanistan in different fields.
Health: Strengthen continued arrangements for provision of medical treatment facilities for Afghans at Pakistani hospitals and health centres.
Explore bilateral cooperation to strengthen Afghanistan’s public health infrastructure.
Agriculture: Draw out plans for training of Afghan agriculture officials and professionals at Pakistan’s agricultural research and development institutions in the coming years.
Explore establishing Agricultural research institutions in Afghanistan under bilateral cooperation as well as through possible third donor funding arrangements.
Develop regular dialogue on joint five-year and ten year food-security plans to cater the food needs of the peoples of the two countries.
To initiate comprehensive dialogue on environmental protection and mitigating impact of climate change. Semi
Agreed as on 15 Sept 2010 (10 pm)
