Resumption of US-Taliban talks is a positive development: FM

ISTANBUL: Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi has underscored the need for achieving the goal of a secure and stable Afghanistan for the economic progress and prosperity of the entire region.

Addressing the 8th Ministerial meeting of the Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process at Istanbul, the foreign minister underlined that recent resumption of efforts for reaching peace and stability in Afghanistan was a positive development.

“While we were concerned at the temporary hiatus in US-Taliban talks, Pakistan has warmly welcomed President Trump’s statements on pursuing a political settlement in Afghanistan, including through the resumption of dialogue with the Taliban.

“Recent resumption of these talks is a positive development which will help in establishing enduring peace and stability in Afghanistan and the region,” he added.

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The foreign minister said that neither any nation could claim to have stronger and more historic bonds with Afghanistan nor any country was more desirous of peace, stability and prosperity in Afghanistan than Pakistan.

“Within the international fraternity, no other nation can claim to have as strong and historic bonds with Afghanistan as Pakistan does. Also, there is no country that is more desirous of enduring peace, stability and prosperity in Afghanistan than Pakistan,” said the foreign minister

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He said that Pakistan continued to host over three million Afghan refugees for the last four decades, and has been playing a critical role for the development and reconstruction of Afghanistan, including by committing over 1 billion dollars in development assistance.

“Pakistan remains Afghanistan’s largest trade and economic partner. We continue to host more than 3 million Afghan refugees for the last four decades and are committed to their safe and dignified voluntary return. More than a million Afghans cross the Pakistan-Afghanistan border annually,” he further added.

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He highlighted the importance of the Afghanistan-Pakistan Action Plan for Peace and Solidarity (APAPPS) as an important institutional framework in strengthening bilateral relations between the two sides.

He expressed Pakistan’s wish to see the peace process lead to inclusive intra-Afghan negotiations. He cautioned against the “spoilers” in view of their vested interests.

He urged the international community to seize the opportunity for achieving lasting peace in Afghanistan by reaching a broad regional and international consensus.