ISLAMABAD, Oct. 22 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan and Afghanistan on Wednesday agreed to enhance their cooperation in fighting terrorism and bring peace to the region, saying they would only hold talks with those who lay down arms.

    "We have been able to overcome the hiccups of the past," said Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi at a joint press conference with visiting Afghan counterpart Rangin Dadfar Spanta.

    "Now we have excellent coordination and understanding," Qureshisaid.

    The relations between the two countries, who share a 2,400-km-long border, have been strained recently as Afghanistan accused Pakistan's intelligence agencies of involvement in a series of terrorist attacks in Afghanistan.

    But the two countries agreed to maintain engagement and dialogue after the leaders of the two countries met on the sideline of a South Asian summit in August in Colombo.

    Qureshi said Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari is scheduled to pay a visit to Afghanistan within this year, and Pakistan has also decided to send a parliamentary delegation to Kabul soon.

    Spanta, who had visited Pakistan for several times this year, said there was agreement between the two countries on increasing cooperation in addressing the menace of terrorism.

    In reference to recent cross-border missile attacks in Pakistan by the U.S.-led forces from Afghanistan, Spanta said his country will not allow any country to misuse its territory against Pakistan.

    Regarding talks with Taliban, Spanta said Afghanistan supports all initiatives to bring the people together for peace, but it will only hold dialogue with those who believe in peace and will lay down their weapons.