US security deal poses no threat to neighbours, says Afghan ambassador

Mosazai says Afghanistan will never allow its soil to be used against peace, security and stability of neighbours

ISLAMABAD: Afghan ambassador to Pakistan, Janan Mosazai, has said that the security pact signed between Afghanistan and the United States -- an agreement to allow international forces to stay in the country beyond 2014 -- poses no threat to neighbours.

Speaking at a trilateral summit on Sunday, Mosazai urged friendly countries, including Pakistan and China, to assist Afghanistan in its efforts to secure peace with the Taliban and other armed opponents.

The two-day Afghanistan-Pakistan-China dialogue is being attended by intellectuals, diplomats and experts from the three countries to draw a road map on the future of Afghanistan.

“It is important to point out that a key element of our national strategy will be to continue efforts to launch a substantive and meaningful Afghan-led and Afghan-owned process of direct negotiations for peace and reconciliation with the armed opposition, including the Afghan Taliban,” said Mosazai.

“As we pursue this goal, we will continue to rely on help and support from our friends and partners, including both Pakistan and China.”

While defending agreements with the US and Nato, he said the security and defence cooperation agreements will continue for years for the benefit of Afghan people.

“Simply and clearly put, these partnerships do not pose any threat or danger to our neighbours,” he said. “Afghanistan will never allow our soil to be used against peace, security and stability of our neighbours.”

“This is our guarantee to our neighbours and the region. I underline this point particularly because in our view the peace, security and stability of our region is indivisible,” added the Afghan Ambassador.

Strategic partnerships, he said, with the international allies and partners, including the two security agreements, are only for Afghanistan to ensure development of Afghan national institutions, especially the national army and police.

He argued that the establishment of the new national unity government in Afghanistan is an opportunity for Pakistan as well, in order to redefine their bilateral relationship.