ISLAMABAD, April 23: Pakistan and Afghanistan on Wednesday agreed to resume the process of joint peace jirga and to improve relations.

“Both sides expressed satisfaction with the results of the last round of joint peace jirga and decided that the process should be given a fresh momentum,” said a joint statement issued after a meeting between Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi and Afghan Foreign Minister Dr Rangin Dadfar Spanta.

The peace jirga held in Kabul in August last year had agreed to take joint steps to curb terrorism.

One of the key recommendations of the jirga was to form a smaller jirga comprising 25 prominent members from each side to expedite the peace process, monitor implementation of recommendations of the joint jirga and facilitate the convening of the next jirga.

Afghanistan had nominated its members, but the names of their Pakistani counterparts were not finalised because of the domestic political situation. Mr Qureshi said Pakistan would soon nominate its members.

Both sides also agreed to make a new beginning in bilateral relations based on “complete mutual trust and understanding”.

Afghan Ambassador Mr Mohammad Anwar Anwarzai termed the talks cordial and said the prospects of future relations appeared bright.

He, however, cautioned against expectations of a dramatic outcome. “Confidence-building is not something that can be achieved overnight.”

Both sides resolved to boost counter-terrorism and narcotics control and stressed the need for frequent ministerial contacts. They decided to cooperate in trilateral military commission of Afghanistan, Pakistan and Nato and to improve intelligence and information sharing.

The Afghan delegation supported Pakistan’s initiative of politically engaging militants.

Ambassador Anwarzai said Afghanistan considered negotiations “a welcome step” provided they took place “without any preconditions”.

About repatriation of Afghan refugees, Mr Qureshi proposed that the issue be taken up at the coming Paris Conference for seeking international assistance for the safe and dignified return of the refugees. The conference is being held on June 12.

The Afghan side also sought assistance in importing flour and wheat from Pakistan, expanding investment, convening regular meetings of the joint economic commission and allowing Afghan trucks to transport goods to Pakistani ports. “Both ministers agreed on the importance of convening the third regional economic cooperation conference on Afghanistan in Islamabad,” the statement said.

The Afghan delegation urged Pakistan to expedite the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan gas pipeline project.

Separately, Dr Spanta called upon President Pervez Musharraf, Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani and Speaker of the National Assembly Fehmida Mirza.

Mr Gilani told Dr Spanta that Pakistan would continue to pursue political, economic and law-enforcement measures to curb terrorism.

He called for better cooperation in diplomatic, economic and security fields.

The prime minister said a strong and stable Afghanistan was in Pakistan’s interest.