By NNN-APP,
Kabul : President Asif Ali Zardari held wide-ranging talks with his Afghan counterpart Hamid Karzai here on Wednesday, with focus on enhancing bilateral cooperation in diverse fields as well as joint efforts for the eradication of the menace of terrorism.
President Zardari, who arrived here on a two-day visit to attend the oath-taking ceremony of President Karzai being held on Thursday, drove straight from Kabul airport to the Presidential Palace for talks with the Afghan President.
Karzai will be sworn in for a second term at a ceremony being held here on Thursday, amid tight security arrangements, and to be attended by international dignitaries.
During the meeting, the two leaders had a frank discussion on various issues of mutual interest and concern, with particular focus on bilateral ties, the war against terrorism, situation in the region and in the areas bordering Pakistan and Afghanistan.
President Zardari described terrorism as a common enemy and stressed for making joint efforts to eradicate this menace.
Afghan President Hamid Karzai said that being neighbors Pakistan and Afghanistan would have to live and work together.
Referring to the friendly relations between the two countries, President Karzai said that “Pakistan is my second home”.
President Zardari’s visit to Kabul to attend the swearing-in ceremony of President Karzai was a gesture of reciprocity, as President Karzai had attended as special guest the oath-taking of President Zardari last year.
President Zardari said Pakistan attaches high importance to its relations with Afghanistan and the bilateral cooperation between the two countries would be further enhanced to the mutual benefit.
He felicitated Hamid Karzai for his election as President and also congratulated the Afghan people for exercising their democratic right in the Presidential election.
The President said that he was in Kabul to share the historic moments of the people of Afghanistan, adding, his presence reflects the importance of Pak-Afghan close and cordial bilateral ties.
He hoped that the election of President Hamid Karzai would give further impetus to the already existing close cooperation between the two countries in all fields.
Afghan Foreign Minister Rangeen Dadfar Spanta, Education Minister Ghulam Farooq Wardag, National Security Advisor Zalmay Rasool and Afghan Chief of Staff Omer Daudzai were present in the meeting.
Pakistan’s Ambassador to Afghanistan Mohammad Sadiq was also present in the meeting.
Earlier President Zardari upon his arrival in Kabul was received at the airport by Afghan Education Minister and Vice President Pak-Afghan Peace Jirga Ghulam Farooq Wardag and Pakistan’s Ambassador in Kabul Mohammad Sadiq.
In a formal welcome ceremony at the Presidential Palace, President Zardari was warmly welcomed by Afghan President Hamid Karzai. The President was also accorded a guard of honor.