BEIJING: Chinese foreign ministry’s spokesperson Tuesday hoped that Afghanistan and Pakistan’s relations would develop in a healthy and stable manner.
He was commenting on Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi’s recent visit to Afghanistan.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry also appreciated Qureshi’s visit to Kabul and said they hope it will lead to an improvement in ties between the two countries.
Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Saturday held a one-on-one meeting with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani in Kabul where both leaders agreed to join hands for peace and stability in the region.
“As a common neighbour and friend of Afghanistan and Pakistan, China hopes that Afghanistan and Pakistan relations will develop in a healthy and stable manner,” Geng Shuang said during his regular press briefing held here.
While appreciating the positive attitudes of both sides, he said that China supports the implementation of the “Afghan Peace and Solidarity Action Plan” by both sides and jointly promotes the Afghan reconciliation process.
“China is willing to continue to play a constructive role in improving relations between the two countries,” he added.
The spokesperson said that the Chinese side is maintaining close communication with the Afghan side and the Pakistani side on the specific arrangements for the second tripartite foreign minister’s dialogue.
In early August, Pakistan and Afghanistan held inaugural meetings of the five Working Groups (WGs) under the Action Plan for Peace and Solidarity (APAPPS) in Kabul. The Afghan delegation was led by Afghan Deputy Foreign Minister Hekmat Karzai and the Pakistani side by Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua.
The Foreign Office said both sides assessed prospects for the APAPPS forum that covers all areas of mutual interest, including counter-terrorism and security, peace and reconciliation, bilateral trade and transit, connectivity, Afghan refugees’ repatriation and promoting people to people contacts.
