ANKARA: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said on Thursday that an inclusive political settlement is key to sustainable peace in Afghanistan and the region, adding that Pakistan will continue to extend all possible facilitation within its capacity.
In his address to a joint news conference along with Turkish President Abdullah Gul and Afghan President Hamid Karzai after conclusion of the 18th trilateral summit in Ankara on Thursday, the premier reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan through Afghan-led and Afghan-owned process.
The prime minister said that his government will continue sincere efforts to promote good neighbourly relations with Afghanistan. He said that we are working to build a new chapter in Pak-Afghan relations.
Sharif said that Afghanistan is passing through a defining phase of its history and it is time for all Afghans to come forward and make concerted efforts for establishing peace and rebuilding their country. He hoped that the Afghan people would overcome the challenge with resilience and perseverance.
The Pakistani premier said that challenges are best resolved through common endeavours at the regional and international levels. He said that we listened to each other’s reservations and discussed their solutions.
Afghan President Hamid Karzai said that the summit discussed how to advance the cause of peace in Afghanistan and promote cooperative environment between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Karzai said that his country is passing through an important phase‚ as there would be complete transition of security to Afghan forces with the withdrawal of a great majority of US and NATO forces from his country. He said that presidential and provincial council elections are also taking place in the country in April this year.
The Turkish President said Afghanistan‚ Pakistan and Turkey are bound in strong bonds of Islamic brotherhood. He congratulated the Pakistani prime minister for smooth democratic transition in the country.
