Islamabad, Nov 16 (IANS): Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai has said that partnership with Pakistan is an important pillar of Afghanistan’s foreign policy, adding that it was a historical occasion to mend ties.

He was addressing a joint press conference with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif Saturday in Islamabad, Dawn online reported.

He said adoption of practical steps would improve the bilateral relations of the two countries, adding that the Central Asia-South Asia Regional Energy and Trade (CASA) and Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) projects would help link the two countries.

Ghani said both countries were on the same page for abolition of poverty and underdevelopment, adding that people of both countries desired peace, stability and security.

The Afghan president also said that he looked forward to Sharif's visit to Afghanistan.

Meanwhile, Sharif said that the two sides recognised the need to build a strong relationship based on mutual respect of sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The premier said Pakistan-Afghan cooperation was imperative for peace and prosperity in the region.

Sharif said Pakistan was committed to upgrading cooperation in border security, defence, Afghan reconstruction, capacity building, parliamentary exchanges and cultural links.

Ghani arrived in Islamabad Friday for a two-day visit to the country.