AMN /
The fifth Heart of Asia conference on Afghanistan ended in Islamabad today with a commitment from member states to address the menace of terrorism and to foster close economic cooperation to stabilize the war-torn country.
Leaders and ministers from 14 member countries, including External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, 17 supporting nations and officials of 12 organisations attended the two-day meet that adopted the Islamabad Declaration which also called on all Afghan Taliban groups to enter into peace talks.
Pakistan’s advisor on foreign affairs Sartaj Aziz and Afghan foreign minister Salahauddin Rabbani announced the declaration at the joint press conference. Aziz said that the conference was a major success as the participants agreed on close cooperation in stabilising Afghanistan.
Rabbani shared the major points of the declaration in which the participants affirmed to respect each other’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, unity and political independence and follow the principles of non-intervention in the internal affairs of other states. He said that it was decided that militancy was major threat for Afghanistan and the region and joint efforts were needed to address it.
The countries also agreed to put into practice specific measures and steps necessary for countering and eliminating the menace of terrorism, all terrorist organizations, particularly al-Qaeda, Islamic State and their affiliates.