KABUL, Aug 21: Afghan President Hamid Karzai during his meeting with Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri on Thursday stressed more efforts to build mutual trust and an everlasting relationship between the two countries.

Good and cordial relations between Islamabad and Kabul were in the national interest of both, Mr Karzai said.

The Afghan leader emphasized on increased communication and coordination to prevent any misunderstanding between the two countries.

The two discussed the hotline between the DGMO of Pakistan and the Afghan National Security Adviser, to be set up soon, to improve anti-terrorism coordination and avoid any misgivings from occurring in future.

The two sides identified the need for enhancing bilateral ties in all spheres, particularly in the economic and commercial sectors.

It was agreed that the 643 Pakistanis detained in Afghan jails would soon be released.

Earlier, Mr Kasuri and his Afghan counterpart Abdullah Abdullah during their talks expressed satisfaction over bilateral ties. They agreed that they would interact more to prevent vested interests from giving any negative twist to their bilateral relations.

Talking to reporters, Mr Kasuri and Mr Abdullah described their talks as very fruitful that covered a wide area of mutual interests. The two sides agreed to meet at least twice a year.

“We have decided that we will talk to each other, when required, on telephone more often so as not to allow negative headlines and spin masters to go full gear,” Mr Kasuri said. “We have had excellent talks.”

He observed that the two countries were tied with stronger bonds. “Even if there were any misunderstandings, they can always be removed.”

He said the purpose of the meeting was to structure talks between the two countries.

The Afghan minister said the two sides had agreed that a stable region was in the interest of both countries. He said they had decided to strengthen bilateral relations based on mutual respect and in the spirit of cooperation, peace and security for both countries and the region as whole.

He stressed that the leaders of the two countries should have continuous dialogue to address issues of mutual concern.

Pakistan, Mr Abdullah said, was an ally of Afghan people during the Jihad and it graciously hosted millions of Afghan refugees which it continued to host.

He appreciated Pakistan’s contribution to the reconstruction of Afghanistan and hoped the economic ties between the two countries would expand.

Referring to recent incidents involving Pakistan and Afghanistan, Mr Kasuri hoped that his visit would improve ties.

He said Pakistan and the government of President Karzai were enjoying excellent relations. He reiterated Pakistan’s support to the Bonn process. “We will do everything that we can to support the present government,” Mr Kasuri said, referring to the administration of President Karzai.

Mr Kasuri, who arrived in Kabul on a two-day visit at the invitation of his Afghan counterpart, angrily rejected charges that Pakistani troops had crossed into Afghan territory or were making any attempt to encroach on Afghan territory.

“I repudiate with full force every word of what you have said,” the minister replied, when a journalist said he had seen Pakistani troops on Afghan territory.

“We are a large country ... Afghanistan is a large country,” he said. “We don’t covet anybody else’s territory and we have no need for that.”

He said Pakistan and Afghanistan were “tied to each other almost like twins and when one sneezes then the other catches flu”.

MEETS ZAHIR SHAH: Mr Kasuri called on former Afghan king Zahir Shah and discussed relations between the two countries.