ISLAMABAD: As Pakistan takes centre stage on Afghanistan, Tuesday saw the Russian Special Representative on Afghanistan, Ambassador Zamir Kabulov fly into Pakistan where in a meeting with Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, he greatly appreciated Pakistan’s role as a facilitator in the Afghan
peace process as both the sides agreed to maintain bilateral engagements for
regional peace.World capitals are eyeing the recent meetings between the Taliban and US Special Representative for Afghanistan reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad, where hopes have risen for another round in February to put the final touches on an agreement seeking
peace and reconciliation.Pakistan says it is hoping that talks will result in an intra-Afghan dialogue leading to lasting
peace in the country while greatly appreciating 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, Shah Mehmood Qureshi stated that Pakistan is facilitating the ongoing talks between the US and the Taliban as a ‘shared responsibility’ and in good faith.In-depth consultations on the
regional political situation and Afghan
peace process were held at the Foreign Office when Zalmay Khalizad called on the Foreign Minister and the Foreign Secretary, Ms Tehmina Janjua.Commenting on the meeting the Foreign Office said that Zamir Kabulov appreciated the close coordination and regular engagements on
regional issues and Afghan
peace process, between the two sides.“Ambassador Kabulov stated that
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”, added the Foreign Office. 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.Qureshi also lauded the role of neighbours and the
regional countries in the
peace process and lauded the important contributions that
Russia has been making recently towards the Afghan
peace process which includes the Moscow Format of Consultations.
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