Pakistan, China, Russia, Iran calls for cooperation on Afghanistan’s security crisis

Pakistan, China, Iran and Russia expressed deep concerns about the growing security threats in Afghanistan, especially the continued presence of terrorist groups operating from Afghan Earth and emphasized the pressing need for regional cooperation to tackle the rising instability.

The fourth quadripartite meeting with foreign ministers, who convened the sidelines of the 80th UN General Assembly, focused on the serious security situation, the ongoing humanitarian crisis and the country’s economic recovery.

In a joint statement issued at the end of the meeting, the four pages repeated their support for Afghanistan’s sovereignty and called on the nation to remain independent, united and free of the threats of terrorism, war and drugs.

The countries emphasized that regional cooperation is urgent to stabilize Afghanistan, citing the significant risks of terrorist groups operating from Afghan Earth.

“The four sides expressed deep concern about the security situation related to terrorism in Afghanistan,” noted the statement, “especially the continued presence of terrorist groups such as ISIL, Al-Qaeda, Tehrik-in-Taliban Pakistan and the Eastern Turkestan-Islamic movement, among others.” These groups, claimed the ministers, represented a serious threat not only to Afghanistan, but also to global security.

The representatives emphasized the importance of effective terrorism measures and called on the Afghan authorities to fulfill their international obligations by waiving and eliminating terrorist groups.

“We urge the Afghan authorities to take effective, concrete and verifiable acts to combat terrorism,” the statement reads, “including the prevention of recruitment, fundraising and access to weapons and dismantling of terrorist camps on Afghan Earth.”

In addition to security, the four sides of Afghanistan’s economic recovery discussed with a particular focus on fighting the increase of synthetic drugs and facilitating the return of Afghan refugees. Ministers expressed support for measures aimed at reducing the cultivation of opium and fighting drug trafficking.

“The four pages praise Afghan authorities’ efforts to reduce the cultivation of traditional opium,” noted the joint statement, calling for extensive measures to fight the production of methamphetamines and other synthetic drugs.

They also called for greater international support for Afghanistan, especially with regard to humanitarian assistance. “We urge the international community to intensify humanitarian assistance to the Afghan people,” the statement states, emphasizing the need to provide support without political conditions that are attached.

The four countries repeated the importance of an inclusive management system in Afghanistan that reflects the needs of all ethnic and religious groups with a special focus on ensuring women’s rights to education, employment and participation in public life. “Women’s access to education, financial opportunities and basic services are important for stability and prosperity in Afghanistan,” the statement confirmed.

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NATO’s role in Afghanistan’s current situation was also discussed during the meeting when the ministers pointed out that NATO members bear the primary responsibility for the ongoing crisis and called them to lift sanctions against Afghanistan and return the country’s overseas assets.

“NATO members should create opportunities for Afghanistan’s economic recovery and development,” they said, advancing for a holistic approach to the nation’s reconstruction.

The Foreign Ministers also called for improved collaborative cooperation at both bilateral and multilateral level. They emphasized that Afghanistan should be supported in taking extensive measures to combat terrorism and prevent the use of its territory against its neighbors and beyond.

“The sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Afghanistan must be respected,” concluded the declaration and opposes the reintroduction of military bases in and around the country by those responsible for its current situation.

The meeting was a significant step towards strengthening regional cooperation on Afghanistan, where ministers recognized the ongoing efforts of regional countries, especially Pakistan and Iran, to host millions of Afghan refugees. The four sides expressed their commitment to continued cooperation to help Afghanistan recover after decades of conflict and instability.

Finally, the ministers expressed their support for diplomatic efforts aimed at solving Afghanistan’s political issues. “We emphasize the role of a regional framework such as the Moscow format and the Shanghai cooperation organization to facilitate a political settlement,” the statement states and welcomes the recent discussions in Dushanbe, Tadsjikistan and encourages the continuation of quadrilateral consultations on Afghanistan’s future.