02 April, 2009 06:00:00

Summit produces Ankara action plan

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Leaders from both Afghanistan and Pakistan met with President Gul in Ankara, prior to the upcoming visit by US President Barack Obama. The two nations agreed on military, intelligence and holding political meetings...

Following the international conference held in Lahey, Holland and attended by representatives from 72 nations in order to establish security and political stability in Afghanistan and the region, a three-nation summit was held in Ankara yesterday. The summit, hosted by President Abdullah Gul prior to US President Barack Obama's trip to Turkey, was attended by Afghanistan’s State Leader Hamid Karzai and Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari. During the meeting, a cooperative plan of action between Afghanistan and Pakistan was established on military, intelligence and political issues. According to the Ankara Plan of Action, the primary aim is to increase cooperation on the Afghanistan-Pakistan border. During the meeting held at the Cankaya Palace, it was also decided that both Afghanistan and Pakistani security and intelligence committees begin to meet regularly. During a press conference on the summit, President Gul stated: "During the meeting held today, we underlined the importance we place on coordination and cooperation between our military and intelligence organizations on regional security issues.”

REQUEST FOR SUMMIT IN TURKEY
"We desire peace with all of our hearts," stated Karzai, as he also expressed during his meeting with Gul that he is well aware of the importance the new US administration places on Afghanistan. Zardari, who noted that Obama was positively received in his country, also stated: “What is important is that Pakistan’s compromises not be left unreturned and the US’ spiritual and material support continues.” Karzai and Zardari requested that Gul also host a meeting in Turkey, joined by Afghanistan’s neighbors. In addition to Zadari and Karzai, Iran, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan leaders will also be invited to the summit planned for this year.   
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