Afghan Foreign Minister calls on President Musharraf

ASSOCIATED PRESS SERVICE

ISLAMABAD : President Pervez Musharraf Wednesday assured that Pakistan would continue its help and support for the reconstruction and development of Afghanistan.
He was talking to Afghan Foreign Minister Dr. Rangin Dadfar Spanta who called on him.
President Musharraf said stable and strong Afghanistan is in Pakistan’s interest.
The President reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to intensify cooperation and coordination between the two countries in countering terrorism and extremism.
He also emphasized the need for further strengthening of economic ties and boosting bilateral trade in order to realize its full potential.
The Afghan Foreign Minister also discussed the common threat of terrorism and extremism, bilateral cooperation and regional and global issues of mutual interest with the President.
Dr. Rangin Dadfar also conveyed the felicitation of the leadership of Afghanistan to the people and Government of Pakistan on the transparent and successful democratic elections in Pakistan.
Dr. Rangin Dadfar Spanta was on the two-day (April 22-23) official visit to Pakistan on the invitation of Foreign Minister Makhdoon Shah Mahmood Qureshi.
During his stay, the Afghan Foreign Minister besides holding talks with his counterpart paid courtesy calls on Prime Minister and Speaker of the National Assembly.
The Afghan Foreign Minister expressed his appreciation to the President Musharraf for the continuous assistance extended by Pakistan in the ongoing reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts in Afghanistan, especially US $ 300 million economic assistance and the latest offer of 1,000 educational scholarships to Afghanistan.