WASHINGTON: The United States, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Uzbekistan have formed a new diplomatic platform to support peace and stability in Afghanistan and foster regional trade and business ties.
“The parties consider long-term peace and stability in Afghanistan critical to regional connectivity and agree that peace and regional connectivity are mutually reinforcing,” the US State Department said in a statement, adding that the parties agreed to meet in the coming months.
The Pakistan Foreign Office also issued a statement that the countries had agreed in principle to establish a new quadrilateral diplomatic platform focused on enhancing regional connectivity.
The parties consider long-term peace and stability in Afghanistan critical to regional-connectivity and agree that peace and regional connectivity and mutually reinforcing, said the statement by Foreign Office.
“Recognizing the historic opportunity to open flourishing international trade routes, the parties intend to cooperate to expand trade, build transit links and strengthen business-to-business ties,” it added. The parties agreed to meet in the coming months to determine the modalities of this cooperation with mutual consensus.
