Pakistan and Russia on Tuesday agreed to continue regular consultations on Afghan peace process, as the two countries announced to support all efforts aimed at bringing peace and stability in the war-torn Afghanistan.
This was agreed during a meeting of Russian Special Representative on Afghanistan Ambassador Zamir Kabulov with Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Kabulov arrived here to exchange views on regional situation, particularly Afghanistan's peace process.
According to Foreign Office Spokesperson Dr Mohammad Faisal, Foreign Minister Qureshi appreciated the growing international consensus on the need to settle the decades old conflict through political process.
Underscoring the importance of peace and stability in Afghanistan, Qureshi stated that Pakistan was facilitating the ongoing talks between the US and the Taliban as a shared responsibility and in good faith. The foreign minister hoped that the talks would result in an intra-Afghan dialogue leading to lasting peace in the country.
Highlighting the role of neighbours and the regional countries in the peace process, Qureshi lauded the important contributions Russia had made in the Afghan peace process including through Moscow Format of Consultations.
The spokesperson further said that Ambassador Kabulov appreciated the close coordination and regular engagements on regional issues and Afghan peace process, adding Russia and Pakistan were important stakeholders in peace and stability in Afghanistan.
"It was in the shared interest of both the countries to support all efforts for peace and stability in the country through close coordination," the spokesperson quoted Ambassador Kabulov as having told Foreign Minister Qureshi.
Kabulov also greatly appreciated Pakistan's role as a facilitator in the Afghan peace process.
"The two sides agreed to continue regular consultations on Afghan peace process and support regional initiatives to bring lasting peace in Afghanistan and the region," the spokesperson added.
Talking to state media after the meeting, Foreign Minister Qureshi said that he informed the visiting senior Russian diplomat on the recent talks held in Doha between United States and Afghan Taliban as well as opinion of Pakistan in this regard.
"We want to promote contacts with all important regional countries because the Afghan peace process is a shared responsibility...all the countries will equally be benefited from the restoration of peace in Afghanistan," he said, adding if the situation remained the worst, it would also equally affect the whole region.
"I am pleased to share with you that there is convergence of views between Pakistan and Russia and we have decided to move forward with mutual cooperation," he further said. "We are trying out level best that all the prominent regional countries and the country's institutions are on the same page," Qureshi further added.
Referring to his Monday's telephonic conversation with US Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, he said that they exchanged views on the new developments with regard to Afghanistan's peace process and hoped that more good news will follow in the coming days.
Ambassador Kabulov also held in-depth consultations with Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua on regional political situation and Afghan peace process.
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