Iran Press/Asia: Top Chinese, Afghan, and Pakistani foreign ministry officials issued the statement Tuesday at the end of the latest round of trilateral “strategic dialogue” the neighboring countries held via video link.
“The three sides urged for an orderly, responsible, and condition-based withdraw of the foreign troops from Afghanistan to avoid potential terrorist resurgence,” said a joint post-meeting statement.
In Tuesday’s joint statement, China and Pakistan called for a reduction in violence and a humanitarian cease-fire, with both countries vowing to enhance cooperation with the Afghan government in support of “the peace reconciliation process, [and] the launch of intra-Afghan negotiations at an early date.”
“China will continue to play a constructive role in improving Afghanistan-Pakistan relations,” the statement said.
“The three sides agreed to continue to strengthen counter-terrorism and security cooperation, combat the “East Turkistan Islamic Movement”, and all other terrorist forces and networks posing threats to our common security,” it noted while referring to an anti-China terrorist group.
“The three sides agreed that the return of Afghan refugees should be part of the peace and reconciliation process and underlined the role of the international community for a time-bound and well-resourced roadmap for the return of Afghan refugees to their homeland with dignity and honor,” said the statement.?
The Feb. 29 US-Taliban deal called for a phased US troop withdrawal and for the government and Taliban to release some prisoners by March 10, when peace talks were to start.
Afghan officials say that the US special envoy for Afghanistan, Zalmay Khalilzad meetings with the Taliban led to escalating the war and insecurity in the country.
The US President Donald Trump's stalled plans to bring peace to Afghanistan have suffered a setback with a resumed offensive following attacks that killed scores of Afghans.
The United States and its allies invaded Afghanistan in 2001 under the pretext of fighting terrorism and maintaining security, but since then, insecurity, terrorism, and drug production have grown significantly in Afghanistan.
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