On China's mediation, Pakistan and Afghanistan agree to share intelligence with each other

'Crisis management mechanism' meant to prevent terrorist attacks


News Desk June 25, 2017
China, Pakistan and Afghanistan also agree to form a foreign ministers' dialogue mechanism and revive the quadrilateral group. PHOTO: Express

Pakistan and Afghanistan agreed on Sunday to establish a crisis management mechanism, which will include prevention through timely and effective intelligence and information sharing and other mutually agreed measures.

"The move would enable the two sides to maintain timely and effective communication in case of any emergencies, including terrorist attacks, with a view to seeking proper solution through dialogue and consultation and preventing deterioration of the situation which might have negative effects on the bilateral relationship," read a joint statement communique.

The Chinese side will support this mechanism, it added.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi of China is on a visit to Afghanistan and Pakistan from June 24 to 25.

The three sides agreed to establish the China-Afghanistan-Pakistan foreign ministers' dialogue mechanism to cooperate on issues of mutual interest, beginning with economic cooperation.

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The three parties believe, the statement maintained, that the Quadrilateral Coordination Group should be revived to create an enabling environment for peace talks and for the Taliban to join them.

They also affirmed support for the Kabul Process and held the view that the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation-Afghanistan Contact Group should be revived as early as possible to play a constructive role in moving forward the Afghan reconciliation process.

Addressing the joint press conference with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Sunday, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz expressed satisfaction over the implementation of the early harvest projects of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project.

The next phase of CPEC as part of the wider One Belt One Road (OBOR) initiative will not be confined to physical connectivity only but will also promote connectivity of ideas, cultures and people, he added.

According to the adviser, Yi appreciated the resolute steps taken by Pakistan to counter the menace of terrorism. "Both countries agree that terrorism is a common challenge. It is also a challenge to global peace and stability," he added.

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"We also discussed the regional situation and I informed the [Chinese] foreign minister that Pakistan wants peaceful relations with all its neighbours including India," the adviser said. "We agreed on the need for a strategic balance in South Asia."

Aziz further said he had highlighted Pakistan’s efforts to strengthen cooperation with the Afghan government in counter-terrorism, border management and voluntary and sustainable return of Afghan refugees.

The adviser also the stressed on the need for the two countries to pursue their abiding commitment to not let their respective soils to be used against each other.

Pakistan has consistently emphasised that peace and stability in Afghanistan was in our interest and a stable Afghanistan would help us promote our shared agenda of economic development and regional connectivity," Aziz added.

COMMENTS (1)

Rustam | 6 years ago | Reply Mediation has worked in this case. Mediation approach is adopted when the parties are sincere to resolve the issues. Mediation is avoided by a party that is determined to sustain the issues. Kashmir and other issues between Pakistan and India will never be resolved, thus peace will never be there in the region, which is a dire need of both countries that are in deep poverty, as India is refusing for any mediation.
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