BEIJING, NOV 12 (DNA) – Afghanistan’s approach to peace talks with the Taliban requires a new strategy that includes a regional approach, the involvement of the international community, and the support of the United States, China and in particular Pakistan. All these factors are critical to fight terrorism and guarantee a lasting peace deal.

During the recent Trilateral Vice-Ministerial consultation on counter-terrorism and security among Afghanistan, China and Pakistan held in the Chinese Capital, all the three countries agreed that the three parties should step up cooperation on counter-terrorism and security and join hands to address the threat posed by terrorism and jointly uphold the security and stability of the three countries and the region at large.

The Chinese officials said that on November 7, Afghanistan’s Deputy Foreign Minister Hekmat Khalil Karzai, Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Li Huilai and Pakistani Foreign Ministry Special Secretary TasnimAslam held the Trilateral Vice-Ministerial Consultation on Counter-Terrorism and Security among Afghanistan, China and Pakistan in Beijing.

The three parties had an in-depth exchange of views on such topics as the current international and regional counter-terrorism situation and trilateral cooperation on counter-terrorism and security.

Chinese officials reiterated stands to continue enhancing security cooperation with Afghanistan and Pakistan, work together to address the threat and challenges posed by terrorism and jointly maintain regional peace and tranquility.

They said that Pakistan and Afghanistan are willing to bolster counter-terrorism exchanges and cooperation, firmly combat all forms of terrorism and earnestly uphold the security and stability of the three countries and the region at large.

According to them, U.S. and China have also reached a consensus on fighting terrorism and upholding peace and stability in South Asia and the two sides believe that maintaining the stable and constructive relations between Afghanistan and its neighboring countries is of great significance to the peace and reconstruction process in Afghanistan.

Meanwhile, since evidence revealed Pakistani support of the militants, the U.S. and China sans any differences, must apply diplomatic pressure on Pakistan until the country completely ends its support, active or tacit, for the Taliban. Such diplomatic pressures on Pakistan will provide the Afghan government with an opportunity to pursue a lasting peace deal with the Taliban.

The regional countries of Russia, Iran, India, and especially Saudi Arabia must take part and beer the responsibility and support the Afghan-led peacetalks.

The protracted crisis imposed on Afghanistan has led to irreplaceable harm in the region. Currently, the regional and global countries are exposed to a strong threat, political violence, terrorism, separatism and fundamentalism.

These threats seem highly serious. To put an end to the threats, the regional and global countries need to build a peaceful Afghanistan and take high step in this respect.

Afghanistan’s instability will destabilize the region. On the contrary, peace and security in this country will result to regional stability. Security in the country, which is considered the heart of Asia, will cultivate regional confidence, extend business, reinforce bond and pave the ground for improvement in the Asia.=DNA

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