Germany lauds Pakistan role in Afghan peace process

Ambassador Schlagheck expresses confidence Islamabad will continue playing a very constructive role in Afghanistan

ISLAMABAD:

Germany has appreciated the positive role played by Pakistan in bringing about the Doha Process for stability, peace and prosperity in Afghanistan.

In an exclusive interview with Radio Pakistan, German Ambassador to Pakistan Bernhard Schlagheck said it has been acknowledged by the United Stated, the world community and Germany also recognises this very positive role of Pakistan, a statement issued on Sunday said.

The ambassador expressed confidence that Islamabad would continue playing a very constructive role in Afghanistan in the future.

He said that the government of Pakistan and armed forces were quite engaged in trying to convince Taliban to bring about an inclusive government in Afghanistan, adding that Pakistan was aware of its potential importance and role in the whole of region.

The German envoy said an inclusive government in Kabul was critical for peace and stability of that country.

To a question about role of Afghanistan's neighbours, the German ambassador said none of them wanted instability in Afghanistan as it was a recipe of political disaster. There was a genuine understanding that peace and stability in Afghanistan was of vital interest to the region, Schlagheck remarked.

On terrorism, the German Ambassador said the menace emanating from Afghanistan and spreading to region was of very much importance. When asked about the recent visit of German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas to Pakistan, he said the visit was focused on bilateral relations and the evolving regional situation, including Afghanistan.

Schlagheck said Afghanistan was one of the major issues of discussion in meetings of the German Foreign Minister with Pakistani leadership. The German ambassador said Taliban were as much a reality in Afghanistan as well as the precarious humanitarian situation in the country.

He said Germany being a responsible partner of international community was ready to play its role in Afghanistan.

The ambassador said it was very much important that Taliban were willing to discard their old lenses. He said Germany was willing to engage with Afghanistan, however, the question of recognition was not on agenda at the moment. He said Taliban would be judged by their deeds and actions for recognition.

To a question concerning reservations of some Western countries regarding Taliban, he said treatment of women and minorities in Afghanistan and the question of inclusive government in the country were some of the issues the world was looking at.

Schlagheck said at the recent Geneva Conference on Afghanistan, Germany pledged €100 million in aid for helping out Afghanistan.

He said they were pondering to add another €500 million into that, but that has not yet been formally announced.

Regarding the policy of Germany for Afghans who want to settle in that country, he said they have to take care of those Afghans first who are at risk after rendering their services for German interests. In addition, he said, many vulnerable Afghans including journalists, human rights activists were airlifted to Germany.