The meeting of special envoys from the Islamic Republic of Iran, Pakistan, China, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan, along with Russia, was held on Sunday.
The participants reviewed the latest developments in Afghanistan and emphasized the importance of regional convergence and a region-centered approach to addressing challenges related to the country.
In the joint statement, the countries underlined the need to strengthen stability in Afghanistan and announced their readiness to assist in achieving this objective should the Afghan side request support.
They also highlighted the importance of continuing economic and trade relations with Afghanistan to help improve the livelihoods of its people and stressed the necessity of integrating the country into regional political and economic processes.
Expressing security concerns, the participants declared their preparedness to cooperate with Afghanistan in combating terrorism, drug trafficking, and human trafficking.
They emphasized the responsibility of the international community to lift sanctions imposed on Afghanistan and to unblock its assets, warning that economic pressure has direct consequences for the Afghan population.
The meeting opposed any efforts by foreign countries to establish a military presence in Afghanistan and stressed that countries responsible for the current situation in the country must contribute to its reconstruction and economic and social recovery without turning assistance into a political lever.
The statement also called on international organizations to support the return of Afghan nationals from neighboring countries and to help ensure conditions for their dignified return.
Participants voiced support for all efforts aimed at reducing tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan, expressed readiness to help strengthen such initiatives, and urged both sides to return to negotiations and resolve their disputes through diplomatic means.
The meeting agreed that the fifth meeting of foreign ministers of Afghanistan’s neighboring countries should be held as soon as possible in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, and welcomed Pakistan’s readiness to host the second round of the special envoys’ meeting in Islamabad in March next year.
IRNA