ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi Monday said peace and prosperity of Pakistan and Afghanistan being close neighbors was interlinked and stressed the need for their close collaboration for lasting regional peace.
Foreign Minister Qureshi expressed these views while talking to his Afghan counterpart Salahuddin Rabbani who telephoned him and congratulated him on his appointment as Foreign Minister.
Rabbani expressed best wishes of the government and people of Afghanistan for Pakistan and said he looked forward to strengthen Pak-Afghan bilateral relations.
Both sides appreciated recent improvement in relations since the launch of Afghanistan Pakistan Action Plan for Peace and Solidarity (APAPPS) process in May, 2018 and noted that the framework provided the most comprehensive institutional mechanism to discuss all mutual issues.
The two foreign ministers agreed that the next round of APAPPS would be soon held in Islamabad.
They also welcomed the holding of joint Pak-Afghan Ulema Conference in Islamabad, the dates for which are being finalised.
The issue of closure of the Pakistan Consulate General in Jalalabad due to a security crisis was also discussed. Qureshi requested the Afghan Government for restoring the previous security arrangements existing till 28th August 2018, so that the Consulate General’s normal functioning could be resumed at the earliest.
Foreign Minister Rabbani reassured a positive outcome soon in this regard and mentioned his meeting with the Ambassador of Pakistan in Kabul yesterday. Till resolution of the issue, Pakistan in the meantime would continue issuing visas to patients or students residing in the jurisdiction of the Consulate’s as an emergency measure.
Foreign Minister Rabbani also extended an invitation Foreign Minister Qureshi to visit Afghanistan at an early date, which he accepted.
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