The presidents of Pakistan, Afghanistan and Russia agreed on Wednesday to pursue joint economic projects to help bring stability to the volatile region as they met for a rare regional summit. The four-way summit, which also involved Tajikistan, adopted a joint declaration, saying it supported intentions by businesspeople from Russia.
Pakistan and Tajikistan to help Afghanistan rebuild its infrastructure, including in energy and transportation industries. Priority should be given to works on the Salang tunnel linking northern and southern parts of Afghanistan, oil and gas projects in the north of the country, a fertiliser factory and an electric power station in Mazar-i-Sharif and a home-building factory in Kabul, among others, the statement said.
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev hosted Afghan counterpart Hamid Karzai, Pakistan leader Asif Ali Zardari and Emomaly Rahmon of Tajikistan in the Black Sea resort of Sochi. The leaders also called for pursuing joint regional projects, including a project codenamed CASE-1000, whose aim will be sending power from Tajikistan to Afghanistan and Pakistan.
The three countries, the statement said, "support Russia''s participation in it." Speaking earlier at the summit, Medvedev said the four countries should revive economic co-operation that dated back to the Soviet era. "I think it makes sense to return to them to try to give additional impetus to the economic development (and) solve a whole number of urgent tasks, including in energy and social development," Medvedev said.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, speaking to reporters, said the four leaders agreed that "economics is the key to overcoming all problems." Meanwhile, President Asif Ali Zardari and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev held a bilateral meeting to look afresh at their strategy in the war against terror and organised crime with the pledge to stay persistent against the threats to regional peace and stability.
President Zardari drove to the official residence of the Russian President overlooking Black Sea and they first made brief remarks telecast live and then held a bilateral meeting along with their delegations. President Zardari said relations with Russia were improving in multifaceted fields and it was evident from the fact that it was his fourth meeting with President Medvedev.
In his remarks, President Zardari thanked the Russian President for the aid sent for the flood victims. Reciprocating the sentiments of Russian President for the flood victims, the President offered his condolences for the deaths caused in the raging fires in Russia. The President said," difficult times test the will of the nations and make them stronger". The President talked about the responsibility that lies on the leadership to face challenges with resolve and conviction and leave a better world for the future generations. President Zardari invited the Russian President to visit Pakistan and said he would also like to visit Moscow.
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