Terror Safe Havens Must Go, Regional Powers Tell Afghanistan
NEW YORK
NewzNews Report:
The foreign ministers of China, Iran, Pakistan, and Russia have jointly urged Afghanistan to take “practical, verifiable, and decisive steps” to eliminate terrorist groups operating from its territory. The statement was issued during a sideline meeting held at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
In their unified declaration, the four nations reaffirmed their support for a sovereign, unified, and stable Afghanistan—free from terrorism, conflict, and narcotics. However, they stressed that Afghan soil must not be allowed to serve as a base for extremist elements threatening peace and stability across the region.
Since 2017, these countries have held quadrilateral consultations focused on Afghanistan’s future, aimed at enhancing regional cooperation in counterterrorism, narcotics control, and the promotion of peace. These discussions, conducted at both the ministerial and special envoy levels, also emphasize political dialogue and integration of Afghanistan into the regional economy.
The ministers expressed serious alarm over the continued presence and activity of extremist organizations including ISIS (ISIL), Al-Qaeda, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM), Jaish ul-Adl, the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), and the Majeed Brigade. The joint statement labeled these groups as a “major threat to both regional and global security.”
The declaration further emphasized that fostering peace, countering terrorism, and curbing the drug trade in Afghanistan are shared responsibilities and priorities for the surrounding region.
Calling for reforms to the 1988 UN sanctions regime, the ministers advocated for updates that reflect the current ground situation, including possible travel exemptions for specific Taliban figures. They also pressed for the continuation of humanitarian assistance, stressing that aid should remain apolitical and uninfluenced by international disagreements.
The four countries voiced support for regional development and infrastructure projects that could help stabilize Afghanistan economically and improve its connectivity with neighboring markets. They appealed to the global community to ramp up emergency aid efforts and reaffirmed their commitment to expanding bilateral and multilateral economic ties with Kabul.
In addition, the ministers underscored the importance of diplomatic initiatives aimed at reaching a comprehensive political settlement in Afghanistan. They highlighted the role of international actors—particularly the United Nations—in facilitating this process.
They also recognized the significance of regional platforms such as the Moscow Format, the Foreign Ministers’ Meeting of Afghanistan’s Neighbouring Countries, and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) as vital avenues for achieving long-term peace and stability.
The meeting welcomed the outcome of the latest quadrilateral gathering of special envoys from China, Iran, Pakistan, and Russia, held on September 12 in Dushanbe, and encouraged the continuation of these high-level consultations.
