KABUL - Pakistan and Afghanistan will open a new phase of cooperation over the Taliban insurgency with the visit of Islamabad's foreign minister this week, an official said Sunday.
Pakistani Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar will visit Kabul on Wednesday, Afghan foreign ministry spokesman Janan Mosazai told a news conference.

"This visit will mark a new cooperation relations phase between the two countries," he said, adding that Khar would hold talks with Afghan Foreign Minister Zulmai Rasoul and President Hamid Karzai.
"Both sides will discuss the fight against terrorism and Pakistan's essential support to the peace process in Afghanistan.

"Pakistan plays a key role in Afghan peace process and Afghanistan need a sincere effort of our neighboring country toward peace negotiations," Mosazai said.

Khar's visit comes after Pakistan made overtures to Afghanistan to resume talks over the Taliban which broke down following the assassination of Kabul's chief peace envoy, Burhanuddin Rabbani, in September, officials said.

Karzai accused Pakistan of responsibility for the murder and last month accused Pakistan of sabotaging all negotiations with the Taliban.

The Taliban, ousted from power by a US-led invasion in the wake of the 9/11 attacks, announced earlier this month that they planned to set up a political office in Qatar ahead of possible talks with the United States.

Karzai's government gave its blessing to the move, but Kabul, wary of being sidelined in talks between the insurgents and Washington, has insisted on a central role in any negotiations. (AFP)