US Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation, Zalmay Khalilzad, said that a stable Afghanistan is crucial for regional peace, security and stability of the Central Asia.

He said this in a meeting with officials of Central Asian countries in Tashkent—Khalilzad has been embarked on his peace trip where he will be fled to Qatar and Pakistan to gain support to the Afghan peace bid.

“Adam Boehler, (CEO of U.S. International Development Finance Corporation) and I wrapped up good meetings in Tashkent. Started the day with FM Kamilov and Special Rep Irgashev and then were joined by the Foreign Ministers that make up the remaining C5+1 (Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic),” Khalilzad said.

In series of tweets, Khalilzad said that the Central Asia has played and would play a crucial role in the Afghan peace process and that peace in Afghanistan is in the benefit of regional connectivity, trade and developments.

The US International Development Finance Cooperation is ready to invest in the region’s future, he added.

“The US appreciates the cooperation and assistance of the C5+1. We will need to work together to promote and encourage a political settlement when intra-Afghan negotiations begin,” he said. “Work towards the shared goals of economic resilience, regional connectivity and integration starts now.

The US envoy’s remarks come amid pile-up violence in Afghanistan as the Taliban have still continuing attacks on the Afghan security forces.

http://www.afghanistantimes.af/peace-in-afghanistan-strengthens-regional-connectivity-khalilzad/