Iran Press/ Asia: The Pakistani Foreign Ministry on Friday night published the joint statement on a quadripartite meeting on Afghanistan attended by senior diplomats from the Islamic Republic of Iran, Pakistan, China, and Russia.
The statement said: "On Thursday, September 16, 2021, the Foreign Ministers of Iran, Pakistan, the Russian Federation, and the People's Republic of China met on the sidelines of the SCO Summit in Dushanbe to discuss the situation in Afghanistan."
According to the statement, the participants reaffirmed their determination to help promote peace, security, and stability in Afghanistan and throughout the region.
"The ministers of the four countries stressed that the sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of Afghanistan must be respected. The fundamental principle of "Afghan-led, Afghan-owned" and respect for the rights of the Afghan people to peace, stability, development, and prosperity must be upheld," the statement added.
They stressed the importance of engaging with those countries that must take primary responsibility for post-war economic and social reconstruction in Afghanistan and provide immediate economic, livelihood, and humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan.
Iran, Pakistan, Russia, and China stressed the need for national reconciliation in Afghanistan and the formation of an inclusive government that takes into account the interests of all ethnic-political forces in the country.
Given the security challenges posed by Afghanistan, they stressed the need to coordinate efforts to counter threats, particularly the spread of terrorism and drug trafficking, to ensure regional stability and address the legitimate concerns and interests of neighboring countries.
The foreign ministers of the four countries expressed concern over the unfavorable humanitarian and socio-economic situation in Afghanistan, as well as the possible dangers of an influx of refugees into the region.
Emphasizing the need to restore peaceful life and improve the country's economy, they called on the international community to immediately continue its humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan.
The foreign ministers of Iran, Pakistan, China and Russia concluded that they have decided to continue consultations on Afghanistan and to hold meetings at the level of ministers, special envoys, and ambassadors at appropriate times.
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