Nawaz, Ghani express satisfaction over Afghan govt, Taliban talks

Asia-Pacific, News July 11, 2015 , by IRIA No Comments

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani have expressed satisfaction on the progress made in the July 7 meeting between the Afghan government and the Taliban to promote peace and reconciliation process.

The statement from the two leaders came during a meeting held on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation/Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa (SCO/BRICS) summits here in Ufa on Friday.

During the meeting, Prime Minister Sharif reaffirmed Pakistan’s desire to build a positive and forward-looking relationship with Afghanistan. President Ghani appreciated the efforts and role of Pakistan in facilitating peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan, and expressed the hope that this would lead to a lasting peace and stability in the country.

The two leaders exchanged views on how to carry forward the peace process. They also exchanged views on the efforts being made by the respective sides to counter terrorism and extremism. Both the leaders also reviewed economic cooperation to achieve the shared objectives of peace, prosperity and development.

The prime minister extended an invitation to the Afghan president to jointly inaugurate with him the Ministerial Conference of the Heart of Asia process to be hosted by Pakistan in December 2015.

Adviser to Prime Minister on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz, Special Assistant to Prime Minister Tariq Fatemi and Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry were present in the meeting. Afghan Foreign Minister Salahuddin Rabbani and National Security Adviser Hanif Atmar also attended the meeting.

US and UNSC hail direct talks between Afghan government, Taliban

White House lauded Pakistan’s efforts to facilitate direct talks between the Afghan government and Taliban militants.

“We both (the United States and Afghanistan) acknowledge and appreciate Pakistan’s important efforts to host these conversations,” White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest told a briefing in Washington. “This is an important step in advancing prospects for a credible peace.”

Earnest further stated that the United States had always encouraged Afghans to participate in an Afghan-led process. He said that the process would be continually supported by them, when asked if the talks had increased Washington’s optimism for a breakthrough in the peace process.

The UN Security Council has welcomed the direct talks in Pakistan between representatives of the Afghan government and Taliban, saying they represent “a step towards peace and reconciliation” in the country.

The members of the Security Council expressed their appreciation for “the constructive roles” played by the government of Pakistan, China, the US, and the international community, said a statement issued to the press here on Friday by the 15-nation Security Council.