ISTANBUL, Oct 30: Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and Afghan President Hamid Karzai discussed efforts to restore peace in the region at a meeting here on Thursday with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, whose government wants to help mediate regional issues.

The leaders met on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum to discuss regional security issues, with focus on countering extremism and terrorism.

Pakistan and Afghanistan agreed to continue the trilateral summit process with the help of Turkey.

The meeting had been planned when Turkish President Abdullah Gul met President Asif Ali Zardari on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session in New York.

Prime Minister Gilani stressed that regional stability was vital for prosperity of the region, particularly of Pakistan.

The leaders agreed that global cooperation was essential for fighting terrorism and extremism.

The Turkish prime minister said the process initiated by his country had been disconnected in the past and now it was being revived.

He said Turkey would extend full cooperation to Pakistan and Afghanistan to resolve their disputes for overall development in the region.

The meeting, also attended by members of the delegations accompanying the leaders, welcomed the process of mini-jirga and expressed the hope that it would contribute to peace and reconciliation.

The meeting decided that the second trilateral summit would be held at the earliest convenience of the presidents of the three countries.

Reading out a joint declaration, Mr Erdogan said President Karzai and Prime Minister Gilani had expressed satisfaction over contacts and cooperation between their countries and agreed to take the dialogue process forward.

He said both the countries had agreed to enhance cooperation in all fields to achieve stability and prosperity of their people.

The meeting was the follow-up of the Ankara Declaration of a trilateral summit held on April 29-30.—Agencies