OREANDA-NEWS. July 1, 2009. Following the instructions of President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan H.Karzai, President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan A.A.Zardari and President of the Russian Federation D.Medvedev, after their trilateral meeting in Yekaterinburg on 15 June 2009, the Foreign Ministers R.D.Spanta, M.S.M.Qureshi and S.Lavrov discussed the prospects of tripartite cooperation between the three countries.

The Ministers agreed to intensify cooperation, in line with other initiatives of the international community, on fighting terrorism, combating illegal drug production and trafficking as well as promoting good-neighborly relations, regional stability and sustainable development.

The Ministers, in particular, decided to explore the potential of tripartite cooperation in the areas of border control, exchange of information on terrorist activities and organizations, training of anti-terrorist and anti-drug police personnel, as well as promoting tolerance and inter-cultural dialogue, tripartite cultural and humanitarian exchanges. They recognized that the terrorist threat could not be countered solely by enforcement measures and that these measures must be accompanied by national and international efforts to promote socio-economic rehabilitation and development of the region.

The Ministers emphasized that proceeds from illegal drug trafficking are one of the major sources of financing terrorist activities. They expressed their conviction that the fight against the narcotic threat must be intensified and focused on all elements of the drug chain: cultivation, production, trafficking, consumption and supply of precursors. The Ministers called upon the international community in Afghanistan, in cooperation with the Government of Afghanistan, to take additional specific steps to combat the drug threat in a more determined manner. The Ministers shared the view that the effectiveness of the fight against the drug trafficking should be enhanced by the provision of alternative livelihood programs in the rural areas of Afghanistan. The Ministers agreed to the need for tripartite economic cooperation, including ways and means to facilitate regional trade, increase foreign investments and develop projects in energy, transport, infrastructure and training. They stressed the importance of measures to create favorable investment climate and encourage direct contacts between the business communities.

The Ministers reaffirmed their countries' intention to expand interaction on matters of mutual interest in the United Nations, under the auspices of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the Organization of Islamic Conference, as well as other international and regional fora.

The Ministers agreed to study and develop a common vision and common perspective for peace and development of the region.