Bangladesh and Pakistan have agreed to initiate cooperation in counter-terrorism and other security related issues. This was decided at the end of the Bangladesh-Pakistan Foreign Secretary Level Bilateral Consultations held in Islamabad on Monday. According to a press release of the Bangladesh High Commission in Islamabad, the two countries have also decided to step up efforts to achieve the target of 1 billion dollars set for bilateral trade. Bangladesh Foreign Secretary Mijarul Quayes led the seven-member delegation while Pakistan Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir led the Pakistan delegation during the Fifth round of Foreign Secretary level talks between the two countries. Pakistan has agreed to address issues related to greater market access especially with reference to value added jute products from Bangladesh in addition to reviewing its sensitive list and also looking into removal of non tariff barriers. The Foreign Secretaries also agreed to ease visa procedures and to enhance connectivity by direct shipping and through increased flights between the two countries.AIR correspondent C Senthil Rajan reports from Dhaka that though differences continue to persist between Bangladesh and Pakistan on issues like an apology for the atrocities committed during the war of liberation and division of assets, the two countries have decided to move forward on issues related to bilateral trade with a target of One billion Us Dollars. Both sides agreed to promote bilateral investments including joint ventures, and cooperation in agriculture, fisheries, livestock, science & technology, education and culture. In addition to this co-operation in counter -terrorism will also be initiated, and Pakistan has also agreed to provide access to information and database particularly on geological surveys and Archeological excavations conducted by Pakistani agencies before 1971. Both sides have also decided to strengthen cultural ties with Pakistan welcoming the Bangladesh proposal to undertake joint initiatives to celebrate the 150th birth anniversary of Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore and 100th birth anniversary of Poet Faiz Ahmed Faiz.