Dec 10 , 2015
News
Troika vows all-out support to Afghan dialogue process
* Pakistan, Afghanistan and US agree to accelerate diplomatic and political efforts to put an end to conflict in Afghanistan
APPISLAMABAD: Pakistan, Afghanistan and the United States have said they are fully committed to enabling an Afghan-led, Afghan-owned political reconciliation process that promotes a dialogue between the Afghan government and groups of Taliban on the future of Afghanistan and the cessation of violence.
Peace and reconciliation remained the surest way to end violence and ensure stability in Afghanistan and the region, said a statement issued following a trilateral meeting held here on Wednesday at Prime Minister House on the sidelines of Heart of Asia conference. According to Foreign Office, Afghanistan, Pakistan and the United States in the meeting expressed their commitment to accelerate diplomatic and political efforts to put an end to the conflict in Afghanistan. In this trilateral meeting, Pakistan’s side was led by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif while Adviser on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz, Special Assistant on Foreign Affairs Tariq Fatemi, Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry and Director General Afghan Affairs Ministry of Foreign Affairs Mansoor Ahmad Khan were also present.
From Afghan side President Ashraf Ghani led his delegation while Afghan Foreign Minister Salahuddin Rabbani, National Security Advisor Hanif Atmar and Minister of Finance Akleel Ahmad were also present on the occasion. The US side was led by US Deputy Secretary of State Antony Blenkin while US Ambassador David Hale, US Special Representative for Pakistan and Afghanistan Richard Olson and Laurel Miller were present in the meeting. The aim of the peace process will be to negotiate in good faith to resolve outstanding issues, build on areas of agreement and develop a lasting solution that meets the needs of all Afghans, said the statement.
The three countries agreed to work to create conditions that encourage participation of Taliban groups in a peace process that demonstrates to them that they have a real option of political engagement. Afghanistan, Pakistan and the United States committed to peruse the start of peace talks immediately. All efforts for dialogue between the government of Afghanistan and Taliban groups will be explored and encouraged. The three countries also vowed that they would pursue with urgency confidence building measures that reduced the level of violence in Afghanistan, and allowed for full participation and talks by all participants. Afghanistan and Pakistan agreed to prevent their territory to be used by any violent extremist group or third party and acknowledged that those who refused to join a political resolution of the conflict in Afghanistan must be opposed with all means available.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk