NEW YORK (SW): The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on Thursday called for consolidating regional efforts for peace in Afghanistan as Kabul welcomed Moscow’s willingness to cooperate with Washington in this regard.
The UNSC on Thursday deliberated upon threats to peace and security caused by terrorist acts in Afghanistan in line with the UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ latest report on the situation in the war-ravaged country.
Speaking on the occasion, Tadamichi Yamamoto, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, said ‘The Kabul Process’ meeting planned for 1 February offers an opportunity for regional cooperation and reaching a political settlement with the armed opposition. “This chance must not be missed…I once again call on the Taliban to express a clear willingness to begin negotiations towards a political settlement, and to start the initial dialogue”.
He stressed regional consensus must be built around a clear policy. “Regional efforts for peace also need to be consolidated. This is why the Afghan Government’s presentation to the Kabul Process conference is of such great importance”.
He expressed concerns over increased military activities between Afghanistan and Pakistan on the Durand Line. “I call on the Governments of Afghanistan and Pakistan to find ways of collaborating more effectively to address this issue, which affects the populations of both countries”.
Mahmoud Saikal Ambassador, Permanent Representative of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to the United Nations, said on the occasion that Afghanistan should be seen outside the prism of international tensions. He welcomed the Russian President Vladimir Putin’s announcement of willingness to cooperate with the U.S. for peace in Afghanistan. In regard to shelling by Pakistani forces on villages in Afghanistan, he said Afghanistan’s patience must not be tested. Ambassador Saikal highlighted the efforts made by the National Unity Government in elevating the status of Afghanistan as a hub of regional trade via pacts signed with a number of countries including Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and India.
Japanese Ambassador to the United Nations Koro Bessho, who presided the session, pledged Beijing’s support for ‘an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned’ election as well as peace process in Afghansitan. He strongly urged the NUG to ensure the parliamentary and district council elections are held in 2018.
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