Qin Gang presided over the second informal meeting of the foreign ministers of China, Russia, Pakistan and Iran on Afghanistan

Samarkand, Uzbekistan, 4 Apr (ZXS) -- On 14 April local time, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang presided over the second informal meeting of the foreign ministers of China, Russia, Pakistan and Iran on the Afghan issue in Samarkand. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Iranian Foreign Minister Abdollahian, and Pakistani Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hina attended the event.

Qin Gang said that since the first informal meeting of the foreign ministers of the four countries on Afghanistan in September 2021, as the core force of regional coordination related to Afghanistan, China, Russia, Pakistan and Iran have worked together to effectively ensure the smooth transition of the situation in Afghanistan. At the same time, although the war in Afghanistan is over, the Afghan problem is far from being resolved. Afghanistan is in a critical period from chaos to governance and still faces many challenges. Recently, China issued the Concept Paper of the Global Security Initiative and China's Position on Afghanistan, advocating a spirit of solidarity to adapt to the deeply adjusted international pattern, responding to complex and intertwined security challenges with win-win thinking, and reiterating the political promotion of the resolution of international and regional hotspot issues such as Afghanistan.

Qin Gang stressed that to promote the political settlement of the Afghan issue under the new situation, we should abandon the Cold War mentality and camp confrontation, adhere to the principle of indivisibility of security, treat both the symptoms and the root causes, implement comprehensive measures, and guide the Afghan Taliban to govern moderately and steadily through mutual respect, equal consultation and friendly dialogue. China, Russia, Pakistan and Iran should unite and cooperate to promote the international community to pay more attention to Afghanistan's terrorism-related security issues, build consensus and joint efforts to combat the "three forces", help Afghanistan effectively deal with terrorist threats and substantially cut off all terrorist forces. Encourage and support Atta to take the path of modernization in line with its national conditions, and help Afghanistan enhance its hematopoietic capacity and integrate into the regional economy. Under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative, China is willing to promote the extension of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and the China-Central Asia-West Asia Economic Corridor to Afghanistan and help Afghanistan change from a "land-locked country" to a "land-linked country".

All parties attending the meeting expressed deep concern about the current situation in Afghanistan, urged the United States and the West to shoulder their due responsibilities, oppose creating chaos and shifting blame in Afghanistan, oppose the weaponization of humanitarian assistance, and call on Atta to be inclusive of government building and safeguarding women's rights and interests. All sides expressed their intention to strengthen communication and coordination, give play to the unique role of the four countries and their mechanisms, and guide the international community to jointly help Afghanistan achieve peace and development at an early date.

After the meeting, Qin Gang introduced to reporters a series of important consensuses reached at the meeting.

First, it reaffirms respect for Afghanistan's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, and supports determining the country's political future and development path in accordance with the principle of "Afghan-led and Afghan-owned".

Second, it is concerned about the current terrorism-related security situation in Afghanistan, urges the Afghan Interim Government to take more visible measures, fulfill its commitment to contain and resolutely fight terrorism, dismantle and eliminate all types of terrorist organizations, prevent the territory of Afghanistan from being used by any terrorist forces, and take effective measures to protect the safety and legitimate rights and interests of foreign institutions and citizens in Afghanistan.

The third is to call on the Afghan ruling authorities to form an inclusive government to protect the basic rights and interests of all Afghan people, including women, children and ethnic minorities.

Fourth, it stressed that the United States and its allies bear historical responsibility for the current difficult situation in Afghanistan, and should immediately lift unilateral sanctions against Afghanistan, immediately return overseas funds belonging to the Afghan people, and refrain from building further military bases in Afghanistan and the region.

Fifth, we call on the international community to continue to provide humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan to help Afghanistan effectively combat narcotics, develop alternative cultivation, and enhance its capacity for independent and sustainable development.

Sixth, support all diplomatic efforts conducive to the political settlement of the Afghan issue, and support the international community, especially the United Nations, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the Foreign Ministers' Meeting of Afghanistan's Neighboring Countries and other mechanisms to play a substantive role. (End)