Stop ‘blame game’ over terror, ministers at Kabul summit told
Afghanistan, Pakistan and China are seeking to build political trust and coordinate the fight against extremists in the face of mounting attacks by insurgents in the region.
A meeting of foreign ministers from the three countries in Kabul on Saturday also sought to ease growing tension between Kabul and Islamabad over Pakistan’s alleged support for Taliban fighters.
Pakistan and Afghanistan’s relationship is critical to China’s growing economic and political involvement in both countries.
The trilateral meeting in Kabul is the second to be initiated by Beijing, which has deepened its economic and political ties with Afghanistan. China is using its influence to bring the two uneasy South Asian neighbors closer.
Pakistan has been accused by Afghan government and some US officials of harboring Afghan Taliban leaders, and funding and arming the militants since the ousting of the extremist group in late 2001.
Islamabad has denied allegations.
Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmoud Qureshi said after Saturday’s meeting that the “blame game” would not achieve peace and trust between Afghanistan and Pakistan, and called for new ties between both countries.
Daesh, together with militants from Central Asia and eastern China, opposed the peace process in Afghanistan and a joint effort was needed against them, he said.
“I am here to engage with Afghanistan. Let us not stick to the past and stop pointing the finger at Pakistan … I came here to improve trust and reach peace and stability. Any improvement in Afghanistan will
the benefit Pakistan,” Qureshi told a news conference.
The trio signed a memorandum of understanding calling for a joint effort in the fight against militancy.
Afghan Foreign Minister Salahuddin Rabbani said that the coming months would show the extent of Pakistan’s support for an Afghan-led peace process.
Afghan and Pakistani officials have held several meetings in recent years to mend ties and coordinate the campaign against extremists. But the meetings have been followed by accusations and counter-accusations over alleged failures to honor agreements.
Rabbani said that “the time has come (for Pakistan) to show genuine steps” to back up its promises.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi described Afghanistan and Pakistan as strategic partners, and said that China had political trust with both countries.
Wang backed US peace talks with the Taliban and urged the militants to take part in the process.
“We support Afghanistan and Pakistan’s efforts for peace and we call on the Taliban to join the peace process. Cooperation between Afghanistan, Pakistan and China is important to bring peace to Afghanistan,” he said.
The Saturday meeting follows efforts by the US to step up talks with the Taliban as it seeks to end its protracted war in Afghanistan.
Mohammed Nateqi, a former Afghan diplomat, said that similar talks between Kabul and Islamabad had failed in the past.