Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran join hands to prepare anti-terror framework

Islamabad, Jan.17 (ANI): Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran have signed an accord to prepare a joint framework to address the ever-expanding threat of terrorism and extremism.

The agreement was inked at a trilateral meeting between Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, his Iranian counterpart Manouchehr Mottaki and Afghan Foreign Minister Rangin Dadfar Spanta.

"We acknowledge that terrorism poses a common challenge that can only be addressed through concerted efforts," a joint statement, issued after the meeting, quoted the three leaders, as saying.

During the meeting the ministers agreed to share the responsibility for regional security and stability.

"It is important for the three countries to consult and have closer position on the situation that can confront us," Qureshi said.

He said finance ministers of the three countries would soon meet in Kabul to promote economic cooperation while their intelligence chiefs would meet in Tehran for share important intelligence inputs.

Mottaki highlighted the need of a common strategy to deal with terrorism and extremism, saying it was a more realistic approach.

"The trilateral process is not a move against any other initiative but an effort to coordinate our positions to address the challenges facing the region," he added. (ANI)