CANBERRA, June 15: Pakistan and Australia on Wednesday signed memorandums of understanding (MoUs) to strengthen counter-terrorism ties and agriculture and commercial cooperation after talks between President Gen Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister John Howard. The two leaders noted that the MoU on counter-terrorism would enhance the security of both Australia and Pakistan through exchange of information and intelligence, joint training and capacity-building initiatives.

The two countries also signed an agreement to foster closer ties between the Australian Securities and Investments Commission and the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan.

The agreement will facilitate exchange of information to protect investors and reduce insider trading, market manipulation and other market-related crimes in the two countries.

Prime Minister Howard and President Musharraf also witnessed the signing of a MoU establishing an agriculture sector linkages programme.

Under the programme, Australia will commit $6.6 million over four years to assist the development of Pakistan’s agriculture industry. This includes seven post-graduate scholarships in agriculture for Pakistani experts and funding for the development of linkages and exchanges between science and technology and agriculture institutions of the two countries.

The two leaders welcomed the ongoing contribution to Pakistan’s growth and development through programmes like Australian development scholarships, under which 40 post-graduate Pakistani students are studying in Australia.

Prime Minister Howard welcomed President Musharraf’s personal commitment to improving ties with India.

The two leaders met at the Parliament House for talks that covered bilateral, regional and multilateral issues of mutual interest, including UN reform, regional security, trade and investment and agriculture.

“The two leaders expressed satisfaction over the continued close cooperation between the law-enforcement agencies of the two countries,” said a joint statement issued after the talks.

It was agreed that regular bilateral consultations should be held between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Australia.

“Pakistan and Australia are key partners in the international campaign on terror. Pakistan has played a vital role in efforts to dismantle global terrorist networks.”

They agreed that international terrorism and trans-national organized crimes were best combated within a framework of cooperation, it added.—Agencies