KABUL (SW) – The Second Afghanistan-China-Pakistan Foreign Ministers Dialogue was held here on Saturday.
Salahuddin Rabbani, interim minister for foreign affairs, told the presser after the meeting peace in Afghanistan is linked to peace in the region, and that is why serious measures against terrorism are needed. He said through this meeting, Afghanistan seeks, particularly from Pakistan to support the peace process and bring the Taliban to the negotiation table.
A joint statement released after the ‘Second Afghanistan-China-Pakistan Foreign Ministers Dialogue’ noted that the three sides reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening their relations, deepening cooperation and advancing connectivity under the Belt and Road Initiative, Regional Economic Cooperation Conference on Afghanistan (RECCA) and other regional economic initiatives.
Referring to the lack of trust, Shah Mehmood Qureshi, foreign minister of Pakistan, said he is visiting Kabul to promote confidence, and trade ties as well as to encourage the Taliban to join the peace process in Afghanistan.
He underlined the role China can play in this regard. He said joint efforts are needed to combat the menace of terrorism.
Addressing the joint presser, the Chinese foreign minister, Wang Yi, said the meeting provides a good platform, and the Taliban should join the peace talks. He said China backs the Afghan-owned and Afghan-led peace process. He added Pakistan and Afghanistan have agreed to improve ties.
It was the second meeting of the three foreign ministers after their kick off meeting in Beijing last year. The three foreign ministers are expected to meet in Islamabad next year.
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