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| 14 May 2004 | Friday | 23 Rabi-ul-Awwal 1425 |
Anti-terror group formed with Tajikistan
ISLAMABAD, May 13: Pakistan and Tajikistan on Thursday formed two joint working groups for cooperation to counter terrorism and seek regional stability and agreed to open embassies in each other's capitals.
Tajik President Emomali Rahmonov and Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali told a joint news conference after their talks at Prime Minister's House that the two countries had signed eight agreements to boost political and economic cooperation.
Mr Jamali said both the countries had unanimous views on all regional and international issues, including Afghanistan, Pakistan-India relations and reorganization of the Organization of Islamic Conference.
Mr Rahmonov's visit, he said, had provided a useful opportunity to improve cooperation in trade and economy. Mr Jamali said Pakistan would attend the 8th Economic Cooperation Organization summit in Dushanbe in September.
President Rahmonov lauded the efforts being made by Pakistan and India for peace in the region and welcomed the steps they had taken to resolve their differences.
The president said the two countries had decided to form a working group to prepare a feasibility report on the construction of a 1,200km road between them through Wakhan and Chitral.
He said there was a proposal of linking Islamabad with Dushanbe through Kabul and Jalalabad. Responding to a question, Mr Rahmonov said Tajik embassy would be opened here by the end of this year.
Asked whether Tajikistan had provided military bases to India for carrying out operations against Taliban, Mr Rahmanov said his country had good economic ties with India, which was helping it in the modernization of its airports. Mr Rahmonov thanked Pakistan for providing a $13 million grant to his country.
The agreements signed between the two countries relate to abolition of visa for holders of diplomatic passports, avoidance of double taxation, cooperation between the education ministries, combating drug trafficking, cooperation between the justice ministries, cooperation in tourism, cooperation between official news agencies and promotion and protection of Investment.
According to a joint declaration issued on the occasion "the two countries reaffirmed their commitment to the Bonn process and endeavours of Afghan President Hamid Karzai for national reconciliation."
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