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Afghan president seeks int'l cooperation to fight insurgency

Xinhua, December 9, 2015 Adjust font size:

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on Wednesday sought international cooperation to effectively fight terrorism for peace and security in his country.

"Without cooperation of the international community, Afghanistan cannot fight insurgency," Ghani said at the opening session of the ministerial conference of the Heart of Asia - Istanbul Process.

Ghani and Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif jointly inaugurated the day-long conference in Islamabad. Foreign ministers of 14 countries including China are participating in the conference that is focusing mainly on peace, security and economic development in Afghanistan.

"Ways can be found to resolve issues, but to secure peace everyone needs to work together. Afghanistan is fighting against insurgents on behalf of all you," the Afghan president said.

Ghani said terrorism is a common problem of Pakistan and Afghanistan as both countries have suffered immensely in the war against this menace.

Ghani urged countries in the region to fight the insurgency, and he welcomed China's cooperation, along with that from other regional countries.

He said Afghanistan wants to work with regional countries to achieve a stable Afghanistan. "we must end the violence," he said.

Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif also called for collective approach to combat the menace of extremism and terrorism.

"Afghanistan is more than a neighbour for Pakistan, as both the countries have historic, cultural and religious affinities," he said, assuring Afghan president that Pakistan will always stand by his country.

He said the democratically elected government in Afghanistan is the legitimate authority in the country and that the international community respects the sovereignty and integrity of Afghanistan.

"The enemies of Afghanistan are the enemies of Pakistan and the government will continue to support an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process that remains the most viable option to promote stability and end violence."

Nawaz Sharif called upon the international community to extend full support to Afghan peace efforts.

The conference will issue Islamabad Declaration at its conclusion. Endit