Pakistan, Afghanistan and Russia on Monday reiterated their resolve to jointly fight the threats of terrorism and extremism and to bring peace, security and stability to the region.
President Asif Ali Zardari, President Hamid Karzai and the host Russian President Dmitry Medvedev who met here at the picturesque Malie Istok, about 20 km from the summit venue agreed on the challenges the three countries were facing and hoped that with greater interaction will be able to succeed in defeating, what President Zardari described as the "nameless and faceless" enemies.
The trilateral summit follows a series of similar meetings held between the leaders of Pakistan and Afghanistan and hosted by different countries, all with the sole objective of bringing peace, stability and security to Afghanistan. President Medvedev in his opening remarks expressed the hope that the trilateral mechanism will help the country fight terrorism and organised crime through collective efforts.
President Karzai termed it an initial step that will take the countries towards achieving their common goal effectively in fighting terrorism. He hoped it would help bring stability and open up regional trade and transit facilities. President Zardari said he was here in Russia with the sole objective of making the world a safer place to live in. He said it was vital that all the countries and the entire region was involved in fighting together their common enemy.
He described terrorists as "nameless" and "faceless" enemies who were playing havoc with the lives of innocent and it was the responsibility of the regional countries to counter them jointly. The three leaders are here to participate in the Shanghai Co-operation Organisation's ninth session. The ties between Pakistan and Afghanistan have improved significantly as President Asif Ali Zardari took his office in September last.