Heart of Asia Conference delegates commit to territorial integrity of Afghanistan

• PM says peaceful Afghanistan important for stability and development in Asia; Calls for collective efforts for success in war on terror.
• Afghanistan moving towards regional integration: Ashraf Ghani
• Heart of Asia Conference delegates commit to territorial integrity of Afghanistan, support reconciliation process, regional connectivity
• Chinese FM calls for early resumption of peace talks between Afghan govt and Taliban

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has called for collective and coordinated measures on the regional front to ensure irreversible successes in the war on terror.

Inaugurating Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process Ministerial conference in Islamabad Wednesday morning along with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, the Prime Minister  said the emergence of new terror groups such as Daesh should strengthen our resolve against terrorism and ensure that gains in the struggle against the menace are durable.

Nawaz Sharif said Pakistan has demonstrated an unflinching resolve to wipe out terrorists from its soil. The consensus based military operation and the National Action  Plan  have been delivering results and successful in coping with terrorism and extremism.

He quoted great philosopher poet Allama Iqbal who described Afghanistan as the Heart of Asia and a pivot for peace, stability and prosperity for the entire region. In keeping with this vision,he said Pakistan attaches great importance to the Heart of Asia conference as a forum for sustainable peace through development in Afghanistan, our region and beyond.

He said the theme of this conference “enhanced cooperation for countering security threats and promoting connectivity in the heart of Asiaregion” reflects our desire for promoting regional development, increasing economic and trade linkages and meeting security challenges.

Nawaz Sharif said Afghanistan is more than a neighbour for Pakistan as both the countries have historic cultural and religious affinities.

“During the past half a century, external interventions have seriously eroded peace, stability and socio-political cohesion of the Afghan society. It is important that efforts for durable peace and stability should hinge upon respect for Afghanistan’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and the inherent values of Afghan society” the Prime Minister said.

The Prime Minister said Pakistan will always stand by Afghanistan. He said the international community respects the sovereignty and integrity of Afghanistan. He said the democratically elected government in Afghanistan is the legitimate authority in the country. He said the enemies of Afghanistan are the enemies of Pakistan and the government will continue to support an Afghan led and Afghan owned peace process that remains the most viable option to promote stability and end violence.

Nawaz Sharif called upon the international community to extend full support to Afghan peace efforts.

“It is our firm belief that a robust and meaningful reconciliation process owned and led by Afghans, is vital for long term peace and stability in Afghanistan. I would like to reiterate Pakistan’s commitment and desire to facilitate the resumption of the stalled reconciliation process. In this regard, Pakistan is ready to extend support to a meaningful process, wherein both the Afghan Government and the Taliban can move forward, in a spirit of accommodation and reconciliation” he said.

The Prime Minister deeply appreciated the support of friendly countries  for the Afghan reconciliation process.

“We believe that the association of China and the US in the reconciliation process has been instrumental in moving the process forward.Pakistan looks forward to continued engagement in achieving positive results in the reconciliation process” he stressed.

He said finalization of border management SoPs between Pakistan and Afghanistan will help in checking movement of terrorists across the border. He said  our efforts for long term stability in Afghanistan envisage the return of Afghan refugees to their homeland in a dignified manner.  He said massive cross border movement of Afghan refugees constitutes a security risk which has been exploited by the miscreants for their nefarious designs.

The Prime Minister said Pakistan is pursuing the policy of peaceful neighbourhood as peace is vital for development and stability.

“Working for the achievement of a peaceful neighbourhood is a cardinal principle of Pakistan’s foreign policy. We firmly believe that peace is vital for development and development is vital for durable peace. Adhering to these principles, Pakistan remains committed to strengthening its relations with all its neighbours and regional countries, as well as promoting regional cooperation and connectivity” he emphasised.

Afghanistan moving towards regional integration: Ashraf Ghani

In his remarks on the occasion, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani appreciated Pakistan for launching operation Zarb-e-Azb against the terrorists. He said his country desires strong people to people contacts with Pakistan for further strengthening of relations and mutual trust. He thanked Pakistan for hosting millions of Afghan refugees on its territory over the last many decades.

Ashraf Ghani pointed out that TAPI is a very important regional energy project which will soon be inaugurated in Turkmenistan. CASA 100 project will also bring the people of the region closer together.

Ashraf Ghani said terrorism is a common problem of Pakistan and Afghanistan as both the countries have suffered immensely in the war against this menace and there is a need to evolve a mechanism to identity the terrorist abettors. He said responsibility rests with the entire international community to combat terrorism and violent extremism. He said we should avoid blame game and evolve a multidimensional strategy for peace.

“Unfortunately, recent events in Pakistan have forced us to host close to 350,000 to 500,000 Pakistani refugees on our soil. The refugee issue is a common issue, like other issues that confront us,” Ghani said.

He presented a run-down of the part Afghanistan played to establish regional cooperation in 2015, including TAPI, CASA1000 that would pass through Afghanistan and said the country is rapidly moving towards regional integration towards Central Asia, East Asia and West Asia.”

“By contrast, our ambitious projects of cooperation for transit and linkages to Pakistan have still remained at the level of conception and aspiration. I hope this conference results in significant movement in this domain.”

He said 36 per cent of Afghans live below the poverty line of $1.25. If the line were $2, he said, almost 70pc of Afghans would be below it.

“Poverty elimination is our most significant goal and I’m convinced that regional cooperation could allow us to have the types of growth that could allow us to tackle the most fundamental weakness ? the poverty and exclusion of women, youth and the poor.”

Speaking of the political transition in Afghanistan, he said, “We took the unusual step of forming a government of national unity.”

“We have learned from 300 years of discord that politics must become a win-win formula, not a lose-lose proposition and that is an important part of the new political culture.

“As part of this again I strongly reiterate our commitment to lasting and just peace within which all movements that resort to arms convert themselves to political parties and participate in the political process legitimately,” he said.

“Violence is not the way in a democratic society,” Ghani asserted.

The Afghan president also invited the armed groups to surrender weapons and become part of political process.

Earlier on arrival at the Nur Khan airbase, the Afghan President Ashraf Ghani was received by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif . He was presented a guard of honour and given a 21 gun salute. National anthems of both countries were played.

High-level officials of the civil leadership and armed forces present at the reception included Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif, Chief of Air Staff Pakistan Air Force, Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Muhammad Zakaullah, National Security Adviser Lt Gen Nasir Janjua, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif and Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Tariq Fatemi.

Delegates commit to territorial integrity of Afghanistan, support reconciliation process, regional connectivity

Countries participating and supporting Istanbul Process have reaffirmed their commitment to respect independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Afghanistan.

Representing views of their countries at the Heart of Asia Conference in Islamabad Wednesday,  Foreign Ministers and heads of delegations also supported reconciliation process in Afghanistan and strengthening of regional connectivity.

China

Foreign Minister of China Wang Yi called upon all sides in Afghanistan to resume peace talks at an early date in the larger interest of the country.

He referred to the first round of Afghan Government-Taliban direct talks co-sponsored by Pakistan, China and the United States and described it as the most positive and meaningful process that needs to be pushed ahead.

The Chinese Foreign Minister called upon the international community to respect Afghanistan’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity and honour its commitment to help Afghanistan strengthen its capacity to develop and promote its security.

Turkey

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said his country will continue to work to create better understanding between Pakistan andAfghanistan for durable peace in the region. He said terrorism, drug trafficking and human smuggling are serious threats to the region.

Iran

Iranian Foreign Minister Jawwad Zarif said terrorism, extremism and narcotics continue to threaten Afghanistan, the region and the whole world. He emphasized the need to disrupt linkage between terrorist network and narcotics as drugs constitute significant sources of funding for terror.

He said Iran believes in safe, stable and secure Afghanistan as this will be in the interest of the region and beyond.

India

Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj stated that her country is committed to peace, stability and development of Afghanistan.

She used the platform to highlight India’s aspiration to have an overland trade access through Pakistan to Afghanistan and Central Asia. She also reiterated India’s desire to become a party to the Transit Trade Agreement between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Referring to relations with Pakistan, she maintained it is time the two countries display maturity and self-confidence to do business with each other and strengthen regional trade and cooperation.

She said India is ready to work with Afghanistan to strengthen its defence capability.She said Afghan faces danger from terrorists and not tribes.

Afghanistan

Afghan Foreign Minister Salahuddin Rabbani said Pakistan and Afghanistan are vital to each other for peace, stability and prosperity. He called for a collective strategy for uprooting the menace of terrorism and extremism that threaten peace and security.

Kyrgystan

Foreign Minister of Kyrgystan Abdyldaev Erlan Bekeshovs said terrorism and violence present urgent challenges and there is need to put aside our disagreements and work together under the auspices of UN and other international organizations to defeat terrorism and extremism.

He said apart from fighting terrorism, we should also focus on measures to prevent it.

Tajikistan

Tajik Foreign Minister Aslov Sirojidin Muhridinovich said lasting peace and stability in Afghanistan requires assistance in tackling economic and social problems. He proposed that the Conference should identify concrete projects for economic development of Afghanistan and regional connectivity.

He also called for fast-track implementation of CASA-1000 project.

Latvia

Latvian Foreign Minister said we should redouble our individual and collective efforts to ensure a stable and lasting peace in Afghanistan. He urged the international community to increase economic and financial assistance for Afghanistan.

US

US Deputy Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken said all the world countries stand by Afghanistan against terrorists. He urged global community to increase financial support for Afghan security forces.

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister said Islam is a religion of peace and respects human life and dignity. He said Saudi Arabia was among the first countries to have launched a campaign to fight terrorism and protect its people.