ISLAMABAD - Pakistan and Afghanistan on Wednesday held positive and fruitful talks that would have far reaching impact in strengthening bilateral relations between the two brotherly neighbouring countries. Both the countries on Wednesday discussed host of issues during meetings of the visiting high-level Afghan delegation with Chief of Army Staff General Parvez Kayani and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Nawabzada Malik Ahmed Khan. The sources privy to these talks told The Nation that Pakistan emphasised the need for collective measures to tackle security related challenges in Afghanistan. A 25-member delegation of Afghanistans Peace Council led by former President Burhanuddin Rabbani is currently visiting Pakistan on the invitation of Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani. The Afghan delegation held an open ended meeting with General Kayani and discussed issues of mutual interest. Earlier, during meeting at the Foreign Office Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Nawabzada Malik Amad Khan said Pakistan strongly believed in the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Afghanistan and was committed to help Afghanistan build its institutions with the view to facilitate the transition process. According to a statement issued by the Foreign Office the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs while extending warm welcome to the visiting Afghan team said that relations between the two brotherly countries had come a long way, especially in the last two years. There was complete harmony of views between the two countries. The ties were expanding in all areas to their mutual benefit. Implementation of the Afghanistan-Pakistan Transit Trade Agreement would bolster bilateral commercial ties, he added. The Minister of State underlined that the destinies of Pakistan and Afghanistan were intertwined. He wished success to the High Peace Council in its efforts towards promoting peace in Afghanistan and assured Pakistans full support to Afgha-nistans efforts in this regard. The Minister of State underscored that Pakistan was actively participating in the reconstruction and development of Afghanistan, adding, the fact that Pakistan had been hosting about 3 million Afghan refugees, which was reflective of the historical ties, as well as the bonds of friendship that existed between the two countries for centuries. Professor Burhanuddin Rabbani, expressing strong sentiments of friendship and brotherhood towards Pakistan, stated that Afghanistan and Pakistan were brothers and neighbours. The two countries had opened a new chapter in their friendly relations, he said and added the people of Afghanistan could never forget the valuable support, which Pakistan had extended during the foreign occupation in the 80s including hosting of 5 million Afghan refugees on its soil. Professor Rabbani appreciated Pakistans policy of non-interference and non-intervention. He said Pakistan was the most important country for Afghanistan. It was, therefore, important that the two countries continued to work together in order to promote peace and stability in the region, he added. He said that there were countless opportunities for Afgh-anistan-Pakistans cooperation at all levels and in all the spheres. Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir, who also attended the meeting, said that the situation was very complex both at the regional and global levels.