Tehran conference says inclusive government in Afghanistan is the only solution

 The neighbouring countries calls on Taliban government to "improve people’s livelihood and protect the fundamental rights of ethnic groups, women and children in Afghanistan

Foreign ministers of Afghanistan’s neighbour countries – Iran, China, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan plus Russia - issued a joint statement after their talks on Afghanistan in Tehran on Wednesday.

The foreign ministers of seven neighbouring countries of Afghanistan gathered in Irani capital Tehran on Wednesday to discuss the economic, political, and social and security situation.   The summit pledged the support to the crisis-stricken country while reiterating call for formation of an inclusive government in Kabul.

The foreign ministers in the joint statement also called for a non-interference approach toward Afghanistan. The statement says that the “situation in Afghanistan has changed fundamentally" and stresses need for support of "national sovereignty, political independence, unity and territorial integrity of Afghanistan, and non-interference in its internal affairs.”

It called on the Taliban government to implement "prudent domestic and foreign policies" as well as "restore order to society", and not allow the Afghan territory to be used against neighbouring countries.

The statement called for a "friendly approach to neighbouring countries", "respect for international law and human rights" as well as fight against organised crime, drug and human trafficking and terrorism.

The participants expressed their concerns about the complexities in Afghanistan’s military, political and social areas, but said they remain hopeful for a durable peace in the country and for the wish of the Afghan people to become realised.

The foreign ministers also said the countries which are responsible for the problems should fulfil their commitments toward Afghanistan. “Countries primarily responsible for the difficulties in Afghanistan should earnestly deliver on their commitment, and provide Afghanistan with urgently needed economic, livelihood and humanitarian assistance to help realise a stable transition of the situation in Afghanistan,” reads the statement.

The foreign ministers have announced their support for finding a realistic solution to the problems in Afghanistan through talks among different Afghan parties. The statement reads that they “support a durable and realistic settlement of differences through dialogue and negotiation among relevant parties for achieving national reconciliation, lasting political solution and formation of an inclusive government.”

The statement has also called on parties in Afghanistan to protect the rights of the people, especially women and girls.

The foreign ministers in the statement also called on the Islamic Emirate to fulfil its commitments to the international community and not to allow insurgent groups to threaten other countries from Afghan territory.

Foreign ministers of the regional countries have also voiced that the root causes of migration from Afghanistan should be addressed to the Afghan refugees’ destination countries and should be supported economically.

The participants voiced their concerns about the situation in Afghanistan and said forming a broad-based political structure is the only solution to the problems in Afghanistan.

“An inclusive and broad-based political structure with the participation of all ethno-political groups is the only solution to Afghanistan issues,” reads the statement, adding that actions should be taken to "improve people’s livelihood and protect the fundamental rights of ethnic groups, women and children in Afghanistan."

                                                               International desk