Regional countries urged Afghanistan on Thursday to form a “broad-based inclusive government” through dialogue and consultation and expressed “common concern” about "terror activities" and sought a “clear break” from terrorist groups and their dismantling during the 3rd Foreign Ministers’ Meet on Afghanistan of neighboring countries held in Tunxi, China on Thursday.

“We express our common concern about the activities of terrorist forces in Afghanistan and urge Afghanistan to make a clean break with and firmly dismantle various terrorist organizations such as the Islamic State and the East Turkestan Islamic Movement, and ultimately eliminate them,” reads the eight-point consensus statement released by China’ Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The meeting, which was held on Thursday in the central city of Tunxi in China, also calls for strengthening regional security cooperation to check drug smuggling, which has only grown since the regime change in Afghanistan last year. There was, however, no mention of human rights concerns that are usually expressed by Western countries. 

While acknowledging “governance efforts” by the Afghan interim government, the  Taliban, member countries urged the country [without directly naming the Taliban] to form a broad-based “inclusive government”, exercise “moderate and prudent governance”, reconciliation, dialogue, and consultation.

The seemingly tough messaging from an important regional platform is significant as concerns grow among neighboring countries regarding the Taliban's ability to act on its promises, including on counter-terrorism, the formation of an inclusive government, and practicing moderate policies.   

Expressing serious concerns over the severe humanitarian crisis, the eight-pronged consensus statement also asked “the western countries led by the United States” to fulfill their “primary responsibility” of reconstruction and development of Afghanistan and sought the “return of the property of the Afghan people [ a reference to blocked Afghan national reserves] as soon as possible. 

During their respective speeches, foreign ministers of most member states supported the release of almost $9 billion which remain blocked in the western banks since last year. 

In his address to the foreign ministers, Chinese President Xi Jinping said, “China has all along respected Afghanistan’s sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity, and is committed to supporting Afghanistan’s peaceful and stable development.” He, however, made no mention of human rights concerns. 

In a separate meeting with the Taliban’s interim Foreign Minister Ameer Khan Muttaqi on Wednesday, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, and Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi encouraged the formation of an inclusive and prudent government. 

Wang, who visited Kabul last week, also suggested promoting  “greater trilateral practical cooperation” among China, Pakistan, and Afghanistan in the field of politics, development, and security to promote mutual and common interests for the benefit of the people. 

(SAM)