On Tuesday, delegates from participating and supporting countries as well as representatives from international organizations at the Heart of Asia–Istanbul Process conference held in Dushanbe issued a 30-points approach to promote peace and security in Afghanistan.
Delegates announced in the declaration that they support the ongoing efforts for the peace process and the continuation of the negotiations between the Afghan government and the Taliban.
The declaration calls on Afghanistan’s neighboring nations to maximize their efforts for the success of the peace process in the country.
“While recognizing the importance and contributions of neighboring countries and regional and international partners, we call upon them to maximize their efforts for the success of the peace process,” reads the declaration.
The declaration states that long-term stability and prosperity in the region require peace and security in Afghanistan.
“The region, as well as the international community, has a shared responsibility and common interest to work together for promoting peace and stability in Afghanistan,” according to the declaration.
On regional efforts for peace, the declaration said: “We welcome the renewed diplomatic efforts by all countries to accelerate the peace process through a meaningful peace negotiation, including the ongoing negotiations in Doha, the Moscow “Troika plus” meeting, and diligent preparations for a high-level meeting in Turkey.”
The document also supported the enhanced role for the UN in the peace process for Afghanistan.
Participating countries also condemned the high level of violence, especially the high number of civilian causalities and deliberate targeting of civil society activists, human rights defenders, journalists and media workers by the Taliban and terrorist groups.
On ties between Taliban and Al Qaeda, the declaration said: “We also express our concerns about the continued relations between the Taliban and international terrorist groups, including Al-Qaida, as outlined in the 27th report of the Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team of the United Nations Security Council.
The declaration also hailed the sacrifices of the Afghan security forces. “We commend the sacrifices and achievements of the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF) in the fight against international terrorism, and we emphasize the importance of supporting the Afghan Government in capacity building, in particular of the ANDSF, in securing their country and in the fight against international terrorism.”
On opium production in Afghanistan: “We are concerned about the high level of illicit cultivation and production of opium in Afghanistan.”
Courtesy: TOLO NEWS