Thaindian News

Dushanbe, July 30 (IANS) Pakistan, Afghanistan and Tajikistan Thursday vowed to cooperate in the fight against terrorism and organized crime and also strengthen their trade, energy and communication ties.
Agreement on this came at a trilateral meeting between Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari, Afghan President Hamid Karzai and Tajik President Emomali Rahmon at Varzob, a picturesque tourist resort some 40 km from here, APP news agency reported.

The three leaders, who also signed a joint declaration, discussed the prospects of further promoting friendly ties and cooperating on regional and international issues.

“Today we will write another page in the history of the region and bring the concept of regional ownership to the war in Afghanistan,” Zardari said at a joint press stakeout with the other two leaders after the meeting.

“We stand together and will face all eventualities,” Zardari added, pointing to the threats terrorists posed to national interests.

The three countries agreed that terrorism was a regional phenomenon that necessitated a comprehensive, concerted and coordinated approach with full participation of the states and local communities.

“Militancy, separatism, extremism and organized crimes undermine regional peace and stability and pose a threat to the security of all regional states,” a joint declaration signed by the three presidents said.

“Tajikistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan declare their readiness to cooperate in effectively addressing the menace of terrorism and organized crime,” the declaration added.