The Pak-Afghan border at Chaman. PHOTO: FILE
ISLAMABAD:
Senior officials from neighboring countries as well as Russia have urged Pakistan and Afghanistan to resume dialogue and resolve their differences through diplomatic means.
The call came Monday at the end of the Tehran conference, a meeting of special representatives of Iran, Pakistan, China, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Russia.
The meeting aimed to promote regional stability and a coordinated approach to the Afghan situation
Iran’s Foreign Ministry issued a statement Monday summarizing the deliberations, which reflect broad convergence among regional actors on security, economic and political priorities related to Afghanistan.
But unlike Pakistan’s position, other participants apparently took a moderate stance. There was a reference to security concerns, but at the same time other participants, instead of urging the Taliban regime to eliminate terrorist groups, expressed their willingness to work with Kabul.
According to the statement, the participants reviewed the latest developments in Afghanistan and highlighted the importance of regional convergence and a region-centric approach to address the country’s challenges.
The meeting took place against a backdrop of continuing humanitarian and economic difficulties in Afghanistan, as well as tense relations between Kabul and Islamabad.
In a key regional signal, participants expressed support for all efforts to reduce tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan.
They underlined their willingness to contribute to strengthening these initiatives and explicitly urged both parties to resume negotiations and resolve outstanding disputes through diplomatic channels.
In terms of security, the envoys reaffirmed their common concern about the threats emanating from Afghanistan.
While emphasizing the need to strengthen the country’s stability, they announced their readiness to help Afghanistan achieve this goal if the Afghan side requests it.
They also said they were ready to cooperate with Afghanistan in combating terrorism, drug trafficking and human trafficking, issues that continue to have cross-border implications for the region.
The statement also contained a clear message about foreign involvement in Afghanistan.
Participants opposed any attempt by foreign countries to establish a military presence in the country, reflecting long-standing regional sensitivities after decades of external intervention.
They stressed that the countries responsible for the current situation in Afghanistan must contribute to its reconstruction and economic and social recovery, but without using aid as a political lever.
Economic stabilization and humanitarian concerns figured prominently in the discussions.
Participants underlined the responsibility of the international community to lift sanctions imposed on Afghanistan and unlock its frozen assets.
Warning that continued economic pressure has direct and serious consequences for the Afghan population; they argued that ordinary Afghans should not bear the cost of political conflicts.
In this context, the envoys stressed the importance of continuing economic and trade relations with Afghanistan as a means of improving the livelihoods of its people.
They also stressed the need to integrate Afghanistan into regional political and economic processes, suggesting that isolation would only exacerbate instability and humanitarian suffering.
The statement further calls on international organizations to play a more active role, including by supporting the return of Afghan nationals from neighboring countries.
Participants highlighted the need to ensure conditions for a dignified, voluntary and sustainable return of refugees, an issue of increasing concern to countries in the region with significant Afghan populations.
The participants agreed that the fifth meeting of foreign ministers of Afghanistan’s neighboring countries should be held as soon as possible in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan.
Such a meeting, they suggested, would help maintain momentum in regional coordination and provide policy guidance on Afghanistan-related cooperation.
Furthermore, the statement welcomed Pakistan’s willingness to host the second round of special envoys’ meetings in Islamabad in March next year.
