ISLAMABAD, May 9 (Xinhua) -- A five-member delegation headed by Senior Civilian Representative of North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in Afghanistan Hikmet Cetin on Tuesday commended Pakistan's role in peace and stability in Afghanistan.

    "Pakistan was a key country in the war against terrorism," Hikmet Cetin, also a former foreign minister of Turkey, said in a meeting with Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmood Kasuri.

    Cetin said that NATO considered it very important to maintain close cooperation with Pakistan.

    As an important ally, NATO wanted long-term relationship with Pakistan, he added.

    Kasuri said that peace and stability in Afghanistan was top priority for Pakistan and it would continue its cooperation with NATO and the Afghan government in this regard.

    Kasuri assured the leader of the NATO delegation of Pakistan's full support and cooperation with regard to peace and stability in Afghanistan.

    The two sides agreed that the terrorism was a global threat, which required a holistic coordinated response from the international community.

    Cetin agreed with Kasuri who stated that situation on Pak-Afghan border needed closer cooperation between authorities of the concerned countries.

    Cetin is on a three-day visit to Pakistan and will also call on the president and the prime minister during his stay. Enditem