UK TO HOST TALKS BETWEEN PAKISTANI AND AFGHAN LEADERS
The talks in this summit will be focused on ways to accelerate peace process in Afghanistan and further strengthen cooperations between Afghanistan and Pakistan in the fight against terrorism and extremism
LONDON, FEB 02 - British Prime Minister David Cameron will meet Afghan President Hamid Karzai and Pakistan's President Asif Ali Zardari this weekend, ahead of a key summit on bringing peace to war-torn Afghanistan, Downing Street said on Saturday.
The premier will dine with Karzai and Zardari at his country retreat Chequers in Buckinghamshire, southeast England, on Sunday.
He will then hold a trilateral summit with both leaders and their officials on Monday, to discuss the prevention of a Taliban resurgence when foreign troops leave.
“The Prime Minister will host the l eaders of Afghanistan and Pakistan at Chequers on Sunday and Monday as part of ongoing efforts to help to strengthen Afghanistan-Pakistan relations, support an Afghan peace and reconciliation process and promote regional peace and stability,” a Downing Street spokesperson said.
“For the first time, we will bring together the political and security establishments from both Afghanistan and Pakistan, with foreign ministers, chiefs of army staff, chiefs of intelligence and the chair of the Afghan High Peace Council attending the meeting.
“Discussions are expected to fo- cus on the Afghan-led peace process and how the Pakistanis and international community can support it.
We also expect the Afghans and Pakistanis to make further progress on the Strategic Partnership Agreement they committed to in September.” Karzai flew to London on Saturday for a three-day trip, during which time he will also meet Prince Charles.