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Pakistan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Russia summit: Development of energy, transport system discussed at moot

* Zardari says the four leaders’ actions will help future generations * Zardari, Medvedev vow to increase trade between Pakistan, Russia

DUSHANBE: The quadrilateral summit between the leaders of Pakistan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan and Russia on Thursday stressed an increase of foreign investment in the sphere of hydropower projects, construction of transmission lines and development of transport infrastructure.

A joint statement issued after President Asif Ali Zardari, Tajik President Emomali Rahmon, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai met also stressed the importance of the development and strengthening of economic and trade relations among the four countries.

For the future: The four leaders agreed to create a favourable investment climate in their countries and promote direct ties among the business communities. On the occasion, Zardari said the meeting would help unite the region for economic cooperation. “I remind the world that our actions today will help the coming generations,” he added. President Hamid Karzai said the meeting was the first important step for more cooperation in peace, security and development of the region. The host, Rahmon, said he was satisfied with the joint statement, adding it reflected the aspirations of not only the four leaders, but also the nation and the people they represented.

The meeting underscored the importance of commissioning the Sangtuda-1 Hydropower Plant in Tajikistan. The four leaders also underlined their concern over the increased illicit traffic of drugs as a main source of terror funding.

The leaders also requested the World Bank and other international financial institutions to activate assistance for the implementation of economic projects in the region.

Transport network: Separately, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Tajikistan participated in a trilateral meeting in which they expressed their resolve to cooperate in effectively addressing the menace of terrorism and organised crime. The three leaders signed another joint declaration, agreeing to practically implement the construction of rail, roads and highways on the Panji Poyon-Sherkhon route and Bandar-Kabul-Peshawar, giving Tajikistan access to sea through Pakistani ports.

More trade: Also on Thursday, President Zardari and his Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev, during a separate bilateral meeting, were unanimous that terrorism and militancy were not only a threat to peace and stability of the region, but the world as a whole. The Russian president expressed his country’s willingness to further strengthen trade cooperation with Pakistan. app

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