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Afghanistan, China discuss economic cooperation and peace process
Mohammad Haneef Atmar, Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs (MFA) of Afghanistan has discussed the latest developments in the Afghan peace process among other issues with his Chinese counterpart on Thursday.
The ministry said in a statement that Atmar spoke via phone call with Chinese Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, on Thursday afternoon.
“During the call, the Foreign Ministers discussed economic cooperation, regional connectivity, and the latest developments in the peace process between the Afghan Government and the Taliban,” the statement said.
Both sides deliberated on the importance of ongoing regional cooperation and consensus on the peace talks in Afghanistan, the exchange of prisoners between the government and the Taliban, the need for the Taliban to reduce violence, and the need to establish a humanitarian ceasefire, the ministry added.
Meanwhile, the Afghan official emphasized the important role China has in the Afghan peace process, reiterating the need for continuing Chinese engagement in Afghanistan and assistance in strengthening regional consensus on the process.
Atmar further said that both countries need to expand engagement on issues including the Mes Aynak Copper Mine Project; opportunities for strengthening bilateral economic cooperation including potential electricity and infrastructure development programs; regional connectivity; and the expansion of trade between Afghanistan, China, Pakistan, and Central Asia.
In the meantime, Wang Yi reiterated his country’s supports for an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process.
4/8 opportunities for strengthening bilateral economic cooperation including potential electricity and infrastructure development programs; regional connectivity; and the expansion of trade between Afghanistan, China, Pakistan and Central Asia.
— MFA Afghanistan 🇦🇫 (@mfa_afghanistan) August 20, 2020
He added that China respects the decision taken by the Loya Jirga, and seeks the immediate start of a dialogue between the Afghan Government and the Taliban.
“China wants a comprehensive and lasting peace in Afghanistan, which preserves the achievements of the last 19 years and that this is only possible within the framework of the current constitution and through the preservation of the Islamic Republic,” read the statement.
The Chinese official emphasized the important position of Afghanistan as a potential trade and transit hub and reiterated China’s readiness to work on bilateral and regional economic projects with Afghanistan.
Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has emphasized the continuation of humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan, stating that the ongoing provision of such aid plays an important role in ensuring regional security.
Speaking at the international conference “Peace and Trust” in Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan, Tokayev described addressing complex humanitarian challenges and the reconstruction of Afghanistan as a necessity.
“To ensure regional security, we consider it essential to continue providing assistance to Afghanistan, including by strengthening international efforts to address complex humanitarian issues and the reconstruction of this country. Kazakhstan remains committed to supporting the people of Afghanistan through humanitarian aid, educational projects, trade development, and food security initiatives,” he said.
Meanwhile, experts believe that sustainable improvement of the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan requires broad cooperation from the international community and support for the country’s economic development.
“Investment can be defined as one of the fundamental drivers of the economic cycle, and whenever Afghan traders do not take their money out of the country and instead invest domestically, it naturally leads to greater growth and dynamism in Afghanistan’s economy,” said Abdul Zahoor Modabber, an economic analyst.
As the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan continues, reports by international relief organizations indicate that millions of citizens of the country are in urgent need of food, health, and livelihood assistance.
The reduction in funding for aid organizations, the impacts of climate change, and the return of migrants have increased concerns about a further deterioration of the humanitarian situation in the country.
The Islamic Emirate has announced that it will not participate in the upcoming meeting of special envoys of regional countries on Afghanistan, scheduled to be held in Tehran, despite having received an invitation.
In a statement, Zia Ahmad Takal, Head of Information and Public Relations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said the Islamic Emirate has maintained continuous and active engagement with all regional countries through various organizations, regional formats, and bilateral mechanisms, achieving notable progress in promoting mutual understanding and regional cooperation.
The statement added that Afghanistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs believes regional cooperation should be advanced by strengthening existing mechanisms and formats within the region.
Tehran is set to host the meeting next week, with special envoys from Pakistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, China, and Russia expected to attend.
Khalifa Sirajuddin Haqqani, Minister of Interior of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, said during a visit to Khost province on Friday that any government which rules through fear cannot be considered a true government.
“A government is one that is loved by its people, one that serves them with respect and compassion, and from whose behavior people learn ethics and sincerity,” he said.
Haqqani also stressed that Afghans who opposed the Islamic Emirate in the past should be tolerated and treated in a way that helps eliminate hostility and animosity, paving the way for national cohesion.
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