Pakistan‚ Iran and Afghanistan trilateral summit

In a joint statement‚ Pakistan‚ Iran and Afghanistan have pledged to develop a framework of comprehensive cooperation for promoting stability‚ peace and shared prosperity in the region. Pakistan‚ Iran and Afghanistan have pledged to develop a framework of comprehensive cooperation and to take pragmatic steps for promoting stability‚ peace and shared prosperity in the region. The pledge was made in a joint statement issued at the conclusion of their trilateral summit in Islamabad on Friday. President Asif Ali Zardari and his Iranian and Afghan counterparts resolved to ensure respect for sovereignty‚ independence‚ unity and territorial integrity‚ as enshrined in the UN Charter. They agreed to initiate a process for an agreement pledging not to allow any threat emanating from their respective territories against each other. The three countries agreed to enhance three-way trade by facilitation measures‚ including preferential tariff and free trade arrangements as well as barter trade. The Fourth Trilateral Summit would be held in Kabul by the end of this year. Addressing a joint news conference‚ after the Summit‚ President Asif Ali Zardari emphatically stated that the relationship between three countries cannot be undermined by international pressure of any kind. About international pressure on Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project‚ President Zardari said Pakistan is lobbying the world and our point of view has been accepted. He said drug trade worth billions of dollars is going on in Afghanistan and Pakistan has extended full support to the Afghan authorities to deal with the issue. Iranian President Mehmood Ahmadinejad categorically stated that foreign interference in the region will not be allowed. He said some countries have targetted our region for their dominance. Afghan President Hamid Karzai said the impediments in the way of Pakistan-Afghanistan cooperation needs to be removed sooner rather than later. He underlined the need for closer Pak-Afghan relationship. The Afghan President said that the Summit enabled the three Presidents to understand each other s point of view.