ISLAMABAD, March 23 (Xinhuanet) -- Pakistani Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and visiting Afghan President Hamid Karzai Wednesday expressed their determination to give further boost to bilateral ties in all fields, state media reported.

    "Both countries enjoy deep rooted historic and friendly relations and I hope that these relations would be further strengthened with the current visit of Afghan President," Shaukat Aziz was quoted by the official Radio Pakistan as saying.

    He told reporters after meeting with Karzai here Wednesday that they discussed host of issues, including bilateral and regional issues.

    The gas pipeline issue between Pakistan and Turkmenistan also came under discussion and it was decided that Afghanistan will provide corridor for the project, the prime minister said.

    "Pakistan also intends to energize the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO)," he said and added that Islamabad sees a vitalrole for Afghanistan in this regard.

    Speaking on the occasion, Afghan President Hamid Karzai said relations between the two countries are moving in positive direction and stressed the need to expedite efforts to further strengthen bilateral ties.

    He hoped that cooperation between the two countries in various fields will be enhanced manifold as a result of his visit to Pakistan.

    Five agreements were signed between the two countries to increase bilateral relations in various fields. These agreements include launching of bus service between Peshawar and Jalalabad, bus service between Quetta and Qandahar, cultural, tourism and media cooperation between the two countries, Radio Pakistan reported.

    The two countries also signed a protocol to enhance regular consultations between their foreign ministries, the report said.

    Earlier, the two sides held official talks in which various issues of mutual interest and regional situation were discussed, it said.

    The two sides agreed to enhance cooperation in various fields to increase people to people contact and discussed ways and means to control drug trafficking to overcome this menace, the report said.

    President Karzai's visit coincided with the 65th anniversary ofPakistan Resolution and he was the guest of honor at the Pakistan Day Parade on Wednesday. Enditem