ISLAMABAD, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- China, Afghanistan and Pakistan reached broad consensus on Afghan peace, Pakistan-Afghan relations and trilateral cooperation during a foreign ministers' dialogue here on Saturday.
According to Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, the three sides agreed that the trilateral cooperation among China, Afghanistan and Pakistan has accomplished positive achievements in facilitating Afghan domestic political reconciliation, enhancing regional connectivity and improving regional common development.
The three sides shared the view that as a new type of sub-regional cooperation, the trilateral cooperation among the three countries is in line with the hope of peace and development from the people in the region and demonstrated vigorous vitality, Wang said at a joint press briefing.
The three sides agreed that the Afghan situation is at a crucial moment and foreign forces should withdraw from Afghanistan in an orderly and responsible manner in order to secure a stable transition of the situation in Afghanistan, said Wang.
China and Pakistan expected the Afghan government and Taliban could reach reconciliation through peace talks and all factions in the country should forge a dialogue platform to start domestic talks for an all-party accepted political arrangement to realize peace and restoration in Afghanistan at an early date, according to Wang.
The foreign ministers agreed that the improvement in Pakistan-Afghan relations is significant for the two countries and for regional peace and stability, said Wang, adding that China is willing to continuously support the dialogue between the two sides and improvement in bilateral ties.
The three sides agreed that trilateral cooperation should be pushed forward under the Belt and Road Initiative and the three sides are willing to enhance connectivity by extending the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor to Afghanistan and jointly building a highway linking Kabul and Peshawar with international partners. The three countries also agreed to implement projects in the social-economic sector and strengthen people-to-people exchanges, according to Wang.
Wang also said that the three sides agreed to enhance their cooperation in counterterrorism and security by improving intelligence sharing, law enforcement cooperation and fight against terrorism groups.
Wang said that they agreed to issue a joint statement after the meeting and the next round of the trilateral foreign ministers' dialogue will be held in China in 2020.
At the joint press conference, Wang also urged the United States and the Taliban to push forward their negotiations and implement relevant agreements.
Wang said that the political arrangement of Afghanistan should follow three principles. Firstly, it should have broad representation and inclusiveness in order to make all factions and ethnic groups equally involve in the political life so as to build a united political foundation for the future of Afghanistan.
Secondly, it should firmly stick to counterterrorism so as to maintain a stable security.
Thirdly, it should follow a diplomacy of peace and friendship to forge a positive external environment for the future of Afghanistan, said Wang.
He said that China, as a friendly neighbor and honest friend of Afghanistan, will firmly stand with the Afghan people to contribute to the reconciliation and restoration process in Afghanistan.
