950804

Assef's visit

to Kabul

yields results

KABUL: During the first leg of his tour to Afghanistan, Sardar Assef Ahmad Ali visit to Kabul has yielded tangible results with the agreement between the two countries on the establishment of a joint ministerial commission aimed at strengthening political, economic and cultural cooperation.

This announcement was made by President Rabbani while talking to the media on the conclusion of their bilateral talks this afternoon with Pakistan foreign minister.

President Rabbani also announced Afghanistan's decision to participate in quadripartite communication ministers' conference to be held between Pakistan, Afghanistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.

Afghanistan has also agreed in principle to become a party to the agreement pertaining to the establishment of a gas pipeline from Turkmenistan to Pakistan.

Earlier in the day, Pakistan foreign minister had a detailed and exclusive round of talks with commander Ahmad Shah Masud on the internal developments in Afghanistan, particularly the revival of peace. Sardar Assef Ahmad Ali reaffirmed Pakistan abiding commitment to the unity and territorial integrity of Afghanistan, and the restoration of peace and stability through revival of peace process.

The next sequence of tour of Afghanistan which begins tomorrow would take the foreign minister to Kandar & Herat.

Later he would also go to Mazar Sharif to have talks with all Afghan leaders and factional groups for the early restoration of peace and better understanding between the various Afghan groups.-APP