DUSHANBE (SW) – President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani at the Heart of Asia – Istanbul Process conference on Tuesday called for international guarantees for ceasefire and peace in Afghanistan.
Addressing the conference in Dushanbe, Tajikistan he said that a new wave of terrorism in Afghanistan has reached its peak and civilians and soldiers are being killed every day. Announcing to host the next round of talks of the HAIP in Kabul, he said comprehensive cooperation between the member countries of the process should be enhanced in various fields.
President Ghani said that the security of the region is linked to peace and security in Afghanistan and that peace in Afghanistan is not just a demand, but a necessity. Referring to the ceasefire in Afghanistan, he said that if a ceasefire was agreed to in the peace talks, the international community would have to monitor how it gets implemented.
He stressed that the peace agreement must be ratified by the ‘Loya Jirga’ (grand council of elders) and that the international community must take responsibility for monitoring the ceasefire and guaranteeing peace.
Addressing the gathering, Tajik President Emomali Rahmon stressed the need for continued cooperation with Afghanistan. He said trade with Afghanistan would double next year and cooperation between the two countries would increase in political, economic, cultural and other fields.
He called on the participants of the Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process conference to increase their cooperation in bringing peace to Afghanistan and other areas.
It is worth mentioning that the Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process was launched in Istanbul, Turkey in 2005.
ENDS
