Karzai endorses concept of Pak-Afghan-China trilateral trade relations: PM Gilani

KABUL: Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Saturday said that President Hamid Karzai has endorsed the concept of trilateral trade relations between Pakistan, Afghanistan and China. The same concept he mentioned, would be discussed with Chinese Premier during his visit to Pakistan on December 17, 2010. The Prime Minister was talking to the first vice president of Afghanistan Muhammad Qaseem Faheemi here on Saturday.

The Prime Minister said that tremendous opportunities exist between the two neighbouring countries to cooperate in the fields of infrastructure development, agriculture, energy and Railways.

The Transit Trade Agreement can greatly help in developing the economies of the two countries, he said and added that the trade opportunities can extend upto Central Asian Countries which can help create opportunities and generate economic activities.

The Prime Minister said that in order to further enhance bilateral relations, people to people and parliamentary delegations exchanges can greatly help. This will help develop relations to the level that as neighbours both countries must have, he added.

Qaseem Faheemi said that Pakistan proved the gesture of true neighbourhood when over 3.5 million Afghan took refuge in Pakistan while fighting Soviets.

Pakistan and Afghanistan hence have common challenges and same destiny, he said, adding, “We therefore need to have common approach to face the challenges”.

He assured that Afghanistan will extend full cooperation in developing the economic linkages.

Minister for Commerce, Makhdoom Amin Fahim, Minister for Interior, Rehman Malik and other senior Pakistani officials were present on the occasion.