ISLAMABAD, Sept. 3 (Xinhua) -- Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi Thursday had a telephone conversation with Afghan acting Foreign Minister Mohammed Haneef Atmar on bilateral relations and progress on the Afghan peace process, according to the Foreign Ministry of Pakistan.
"Peace in Afghanistan was the highest priority as Pakistan had high stakes in return of stability to Afghanistan and the region," Qureshi said, adding that it was important that the Afghan leaders seize this historic opportunity and achieve an inclusive, broad-based and comprehensive political settlement in Afghanistan, according to a statement from the foreign office.
He said that the intra-Afghan negotiations would also provide an opportunity to address the return of Afghan refugees to their homeland with dignity and honor, the statement said.
Talking about the successful holding of the second review meeting of the Afghanistan-Pakistan Action Plan for Peace and Solidarity (APAPPS) in Afghanistan recently, the Pakistani foreign minister emphasized that the positive momentum after the APAPPS meeting should be followed up by implementing all its decisions.
Both sides agreed that APAPPS provides a comprehensive and pertinent forum to address all issues on key tracks of the bilateral relations, the statement said.
Qureshi expressed the hope that necessary steps will be taken to operationalize Ghulam Khan border terminal for Afghan transit trade, which would further facilitate Afghanistan's trade with the rest of the world, the statement from the ministry said.
"Return of peace and stability in Afghanistan would strengthen trade and energy corridors between Pakistan and Central Asia and beyond," Qureshi added. Enditem
