Islamabad, 8 September 2021 (TDI): Foreign Minister of Pakistan, Shah Mahmood Qureshi, hosted the first virtual meeting of the Foreign Ministers of Afghanistan’s neighbors. State Councilor and FM Wang Yi of China, FM Amir Abdolahian of Iran, FM Sirojiddin Muhriddin of Tajikistan, FM Rashid Meredov of Turkmenistan, and FM Abdul Aziz Kamilov of Uzbekistan attended the meeting. Pakistan proposed this meeting. The aim was to strengthen regional cooperation to address the Afghanistan issue and to open up the possibilities of regional connectivity and prosperity.
During the meeting, FM Shah Mahmood stated that the need of the hour is to adopt a new and pragmatic approach in order to address the evolving situation in Afghanistan. He further underscored that the well-being of the Afghanis should be at the top priority. Hence, efforts should be made to prevent the humanitarian and economic crisis in Afghanistan.
He reiterated that the cooperation of the international community for a peaceful and prosperous Afghanistan is immensely critical. All the participating counties thus agree that peace in Afghanistan is in the interest of all because it would ensure the security of the borders. Hence, it would eliminate the threat of terrorism from Afghanistan and Afghan refugees could return to their homeland. There would be economic prosperity and the living standards of the people would raise. Furthermore, peace in Afghanistan would also open prospects for regional connectivity and economic integrity.
Other matters that came under discussion were the management of affairs of Afghanistan with its neighbors. They include matters related to ports of entry, refugees and migrants, anti-terrorism efforts, humanitarian relief including COVID-19, and anti-narcotics cooperation.
