Tuesday February 7, 2017
Kabul (BNA) China’s special envoy to Afghanistan Deng Xijun on Sunday during separate meetings with President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani and Chief Executive Dr. Abdullah Abdullah said his country, in case of need, would support resumption of the four-way talks to revive the stalled Afghan peace process.
During a meeting with president Ghani, Chinese envoy welcomed removal of Gulbuddin Hekmatyar’s name from UN sanctions list, adding in a contact with Taliban group, China has always emphasized on legitimacy of Afghan government and the Afghan-owned and Afghan-led peace process as the only solution for ending the ongoing conflicts.
According to Chinese envoy, his country would attend any meeting to be on peace in Afghanistan, adding China attended the meeting in Moscow and hinted on Afghanistan’s concern, where the meeting decided to invite Afghan delegations in future meetings. Meanwhile, president Ghani praised Chinese support to Afghanistan, adding Afghans seek regional cooperation, and therefore, China’s cooperation in transit sector must be appreciated. According to presidential palace statement, the president went on saying Afghan government has always supported negotiations aiming to stop conflicts, adding much progress made during talks with HIA that showed Afghan governments capabilities in peace talks, hoping Taliban also understand and accept the peace in the country. The president also noted that Afghans being sacrificed in war on terror, were the attacks in Kabul, Helmand and Kandahar revealed the enmity against the common people of Afghanistan. Hinting to Moscow meeting on Afghanistan, president said such meetings’ agenda should be specified and Afghanistan should be invited as well.
According to another report, a statement from the Chief Executive Office said Dr. Abdullah Abdullah met Deng Xijun and both discussed bilateral relations, adding Xijun extended the Chinese Prime minister’s best wished to CE Abdullah and stressed expanded friendly ties between the two countries. Deng Xijun mentioned the People’s Republic of China constructive and effective role with regard to peace in Afghanistan. He said his country was ready to play more active role in ensuring peace in its neighboring country. He went on to say China in case of need would support the recommencement of peace talks and quadrilateral session on peace in Afghanistan. The statement added Dr. Abdullah while wishing Xijun a happy new Chinese Year asked him to convey his greetings to the Chinese Prime Minister. He called China one of Afghanistan’s friends and allies and wished further strengthening of the bilateral ties. Abdullah also praised China’s efforts at ensuring peace in Afghanistan. Dr. Abdullah hoped China would use its influence on Pakistan for the sake of peace and stability in Afghanistan.
