By KUNA
Kabul : Afghanistan, Pakistan and ISAF troops celebrated opening of newly-constructed Khyber Border Coordination Centre during a ceremony on the border connecting Afghanistan’s Nangarhar province with the tribal areas of Landi Kotal on the Pakistan side.
A statement from ISAF headquarters here on Tuesday said the tripartite meeting was held on March 29 and officials from the three sides joined it. Located in the historic and strategically important Khyber Pass, the Khyber Border Coordination Centre marks the first of six coordination centres planned for construction, said the statement. “This centre will give the opportunity to our officers on both sides to talk to each other every day about the activities of the enemy,” said Afghan Defence Ministry operations chief Lieutenant General Sher Muhammad Karimi.
“The war on terror is a common interest of the entire world, more so for the two brother countries of Afghanistan and Pakistan,” said the commander of the Pakistani 11th Corps, Lieutenant General Mosood.
During the ceremony, three small trees were planted in a row by Major General David Rodriguez, commanding general for Regional Command East, and generals Karimi and Mosood. The trees were planted to symbolize long-term partnership of Afghanistan, Pakistan and the international security forces, the statement said.
“In time, these trees will grow, and their roots and branches will become intermingled and supportive of each other. This is the relationship we also seek to be strong together against the enemies who would deter our peoples from their desire for peace and stability,” said General Rodriguez.