KUBAL – Minister for Foreign Affairs Shah Mahmood Qureshi Monday while apprising the Afghan leadership on Pakistan’s efforts to facilitate an intra-Afghan dialogue, stressed the need for greater synergy among regional countries to ensure long term peace and stability in the region.
The foreign minister visited Kabul on the first leg of his four-nation tour to Afghanistan, Iran, China and Russia accompanied by Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua to discuss further strengthening of bilateral relations.
The purpose of the visit was also to brief President Ashraf Ghani and Foreign Minister Salahuddin Rabbani on the recent developments on peace process after the meeting between Taliban and United States in Dubai, in which Saudi Arabia, UAE also participated, a Foreign Office statement said.
This was Foreign Minister’s third visit to Afghanistan since the new government took over in Pakistan in August 2018.
FM Shah Mahmood Qureshi called on Afghan President H.E Muhammad Ashraf Ghani @ashrafghani at Kabul today. #Pakforpeace@ARG_AFG pic.twitter.com/m2Bk3GpfUP
— Dr Mohammad Faisal (@ForeignOfficePk) December 24, 2018
Foreign Minister Qureshi while assuring Pakistan’s support for an Afghan-owned and Afghan-led peace process, briefed the Afghan leadership on the recent efforts for peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan.
He also apprised them on the efforts Pakistan was undertaking for bringing synergy among other regional and international stakeholders to facilitate an intra-Afghan dialogue.
The foreign minister highlighted the need for greater synergy among regional countries to ensure long term peace and stability, in particular strengthening closer and effective linkages for greater connectivity, enhanced trade and exploitation of huge untapped natural and human resources in the region.
https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/headline/us-to-withdraw-about-7000-troops-from-afghanistan/
Foreign Minister Qureshi noted that together Pakistan and Afghanistan, with their strategic locations were a bridge for the surrounding regions.
He said the deeper bilateral cooperation for improving relations with all its neighbors especially with Afghanistan was the top priority of Pakistan and that Afghanistan-Pakistan Action Plan for Peace and Solidarity (APAPPS) was the most effective framework that provided practical avenues to address all issues of mutual interest.
FM Shah Mahmood Qureshi holds delegation level talks with FM Salahuddin Rabbani @SalahRabbani in Kabul. Issues of mutual interest, progress on #afghan peace & reconciliation process and economic and trade issues between the two countries discussed. #Pakforpeace@mfa_afghanistan pic.twitter.com/45Jc1t6mGT
— Dr Mohammad Faisal (@ForeignOfficePk) December 24, 2018
Qureshi underlined the importance for constructive and un-interrupted engagement at all levels to achieve our shared goals and objectives.
The Afghan leadership while appreciating Pakistan’s constructive role in furthering Afghan peace process agreed to undertake joint steps for further strengthening of bilateral ties and agreed to expand cooperation and coordination against terrorism.
They also agreed to rely on APAPPS for strengthening institutional interaction between the two countries in all areas of cooperation.
Afghan leadership also appreciated Pakistan’s initiative for ensuring greater harmony among the neighbours of Afghanistan having serious stakes in peace and stability.
