Foreign Ministers of the Neighboring Countries of Afghanistan issued a joint statement on Wednesday, stressing that the only solution to Afghanistan's problems is the formation of an inclusive political structure with the participation of all ethnic groups.

A joint ministerial statement was released at the second meeting of foreign ministers of Afghanistan's neighboring countries held in the Iranian capital of Tehran. The meeting, attended by the foreign ministers of China, Iran, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Russia, agreed on 11 consensuses, including calling on relevant Afghan parties to stay committed to several subjects like counter-terrorism, as well as the formation of an inclusive government.

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi attended the meeting via video link.

The only solution to Afghanistan issues

In the joint statement, foreign ministers noted the fundamental changes in the situation in Afghanistan and called for broad support from the international community for the country's national sovereignty, political independence, unity and territorial integrity, as well as non-interference in its internal affairs.

The Afghan people have the right to decide their own future independently, the statement stressed, reiterating its respect for the aspiration of the Afghan people to realize durable peace.

The foreign ministers hope to see an Afghanistan enjoying stability, development, prosperity and harmonious relations with its neighboring countries, said the statement.

Given the complicated situation in Afghanistan, the foreign ministers agree that countries primarily responsible for the difficulties in Afghanistan should earnestly deliver on their commitment, and provide Afghanistan with urgently needed economic, livelihood and humanitarian assistance to help realize a stable transition of the situation in Afghanistan.

Stressing that an inclusive and broad-based political structure with the participation of all ethno-political groups is the only solution to Afghanistan issues, it encouraged all parties, including the Taliban to continue political dialogue and consultations for the solution of the outstanding issues, and future development of the nation.

The statement also emphasized the responsibility of international and regional organizations, in particular the United Nations agencies and relevant members of the UN Security Council, to push forward the political settlement of Afghanistan issues and render support and assistance to the country and its people.

It condemned with the strongest term the terrorist attacks in all shapes and forms including those against ethnic and religious groups, particularly the recent terrorist attacks on mosques, it added.

Joint declarations

Through the joint statement, the foreign ministers call on the relevant Afghan parties to implement modest and prudent internal and external policies, and return to the normal order of society as soon as possible to realize the effective operation of government agencies.

Noting the commitment of relevant responsible Afghan parties to the international community that the territory of Afghanistan will not pose any threats to the neighboring countries and will not be used by criminal, terrorist and separatist groups, it urged the country to meet its commitment and cut ties with all kinds of terrorist groups, strike and eliminate them in a decisive manner.

Regarding the refugee problems, it called on the relevant parties of Afghanistan and the international community to address the root causes of refugees and forced displacement in Afghanistan to avoid any destabilizing activity that would deteriorate the situation and cooperate to bring a permanent solution for the protracted situation of Afghan refugees.

Highlighting the necessity of positive engagement of the international community with Afghanistan, the foreign ministers also called for the use of the mechanism of regular meetings of special envoys for Afghanistan affairs as well as regular meetings of the representatives of embassies in Kabul at an early date to jointly promote and hold consultations on details of relevant cooperation regularly for more concrete achievements.

The third round of the meeting will be held in 2022 in China, according to the statement.

(Cover: A view of the second meeting of Foreign Ministers of Afghanistan's Neighbouring Countries in Tehran, Iran, October 27, 2021. /Reuters)