Summary He thanks Pakistan for hosting Afghan citizens, says Afghanistan President
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) - Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani have jointly inaugurated fifth Heart of Asia Conference on Wednesday.
In his opening address at the conference, Prime Minister said that massive cross-border movement of refugees constitutes a security risk and is exploited by the miscreants for their nefarious designs. He said that the emergence of newer and more threatening terrorist groups like Daesh should strengthen our resolve against terrorism.
Nawaz said that finalization of border management SOPs at an early date, will be helpful in containing movement of terrorists across the border.
He said that peace in Afghanistan is crucial for peace in the region. Pakistan would continue to offer services to establish peace in the neighbouring country, he added.
Pakistan and Afghanistan have religious and cultural affinities. Afghanistan is more than a neighbour for Pakistan, he added. Nawaz said that the government wants safe return of Afghan nationals residing in Pakistan. Pakistan among international community respects Afghanistan‘s overeignty, he added.
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Nawaz receives Ashraf Ghani at Nur Khan Airbase earlier today
At the conference, Ghani said that he thanks Pakistan for hosting Afghan citizens. Soon Tapi Pipeline would be inaugurated in Turkmenistan, he added. Ghani said that people of both the countries are very close to one another.
The Afghan President said that North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) and International Security Assistant Force (ISAF) ended coercive activities in Afghanistan in December 2014. The country is facing issues including economy, employment and security, he added. Ghani said that Afghanistan has been directly or indirectly involved in seven different wars in the past.
He said that the Afghan nation failed enemies’ conspiracy to divide them on basis of culture and language. Ghani said that Afghanistan first issue in order is international banned outfits. The Afghan President held Pakistan’s Operation Zarb-e-Azb responsible for militants’ entrance in Afghanistan.
During the course of the conference, Indian Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj said that eradication of terrorism in Afghanistan is a collective responsibility of the countries in the region.
The Kyrgyzstan representative called for effective measures to root-out the menace of extremism.
Participants from different countries agreed that Afghanistan s territorial integrity should be respected. The delegations called for improved regional connectivity and supported reconciliation process.
Chinese Foreign Minister, Wang Yi urged for continuation of peace talks. Turkish representative vowed to continue playing role for better equation between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
The Prime Minister hosted luncheon for the Heart of Asia participants
The Heart of Asia - Istanbul Process was established in 2011 at the initiative of Afghanistan and Turkey. The main objective of the Process is to foster efforts for regional cooperation and connectivity with a view to promoting long-term peace and stability as well as progress and development in Afghanistan, and the region.
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The Fifth Ministerial Conference is expected to adopt a forward looking Islamabad Declaration entitled "Enhanced Cooperation for Countering Security Threats and Promoting Connectivity in the Heart of Asia Region".
The Declaration would underline commitments from the Heart of Asia countries and partners for sustained efforts towards promoting peace and security, economic development and connectivity in the region.
