German Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Guido Westerwelle on Friday said a military solution to Afghanistan was not possible, but military presence would be vital for protecting political solution, as Pakistan made it clear that it did not have any hidden agenda regarding Afghanistan.
Addressing a press conference with Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar, the German foreign minister said, “I welcome the clear commitment by Pakistan that it has no hidden agenda in Afghanistan….I welcome commitment of Pakistan to continue its fight against terror. Both countries have consensus that both countries have to stay together in fight against terror.” The German foreign minister’s visit is in the context of consultations with Pakistan’s top civil and military leadership about the Bonn Conference, which seeks to draw up a roadmap for the Afghan endgame.
The Bonn Conference is scheduled to start on December 5 and would be attended by delegates from 90 countries, besides representatives of the UN and other international organisations. “We seek a political solution to the issue of Afghanistan as we know military solution is not possible, but military presence is necessary to protect the political solution,” Westerwelle said, adding that leaving Afghanistan without bringing stability and peace would neither be in the interest of the region nor that of the world.
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Hina Khar said Pakistan was committed to peace and stability in the region and did not have any hidden agenda on Afghanistan. “Pakistan has no hidden agenda. We are committed to pursuing peace in Afghanistan and the region….we want a stable and peaceful government in Afghanistan which allows us to function peacefully,” Hina added. To a question, she said when Pakistan was asked to play a positive role, “a positive space needs to be created for Pakistan to play that role”. Moreover, the German FM also met President Asif Ali Zardari and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Kayani.
