Afghanistan- HoA members ink declaration on preventing 'violence, terrorism, narcotics' in the region

(MENAFN - Khaama Press) Participants at Heart of Asia-Istanbul signed a declaration on concerns of the high level of violence in Afghanistan and continued ties of Taliban with international terrorist groups including Al-Qaeda. According to the declaration Taliban ordered its members across Afghanistan not to allow foreign fighters in their ranks, delegates at HoA-IP stated that 'we reaffirm the importance of ensuring that the territory of Afghanistan is not used as safe havens for any terrorist groups, foreign terrorist entity, including Daesh/ISIS, Al-Qaeda or other regional and international terrorist groups and their affiliates,'. The declaration stated that delegates at HoA-IP remain 'determined to counter all forms and manifestations of terrorism and extremism by reinforcing our collective efforts. 'We reiterate our resolve to work together to prevent and suppress terrorist acts through increased regional and international solidarity and cooperation, in accordance with the UN Charter and obligations under international law, including international human rights law, international humanitarian law, and where applicable the international refugee law, as well as through the full implementation of the UN Security Council Resolutions.' Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, China, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, the United Arab Emirates, and Uzbekistan declared strong 'regional and international cooperation to ensure dismantling of terrorist sanctuaries and safe havens, preventing and interdicting the movement of terrorists and terrorist groups, including foreign terrorist fighters, across the countries of the HoA Region and anywhere else, as well as disrupting all financial, tactical, logistical or any other form of support for terrorism without any distinction'. And also added that Narcotics, their cultivation, and illegal drugs 'poses a threat to the socio-economic development, security, and stability not only in Afghanistan but also in the surrounding region and the world as a whole. Heart of Asia members stressed 'the urgent need to respond to the serious challenges posed by the nexus between revenue from illicit narcotics and financial support for anti-government actors and terrorist entities in Afghanistan and the HoA Region'. 'Further eradication of opium cultivation, promotion of alternative livelihoods, law enforcement, prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and public information efforts are required as part of a comprehensive and integrated strategy to address this common challenge, based on the principle of common and shared responsibility, and consistent with the international drug control conventions. Australia, Canada, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, France, Germany, Iraq, Italy, Japan, Poland, Norway, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom, the United States, and more than ten organizations including NATO and the UN favored the declaration. HOA-IP declaration recognized the central and impartial role of the UN in promoting peace and stability in Afghanistan, the delegates welcomed efforts by the Organization of Islamic Corporation and its members for their call on immediate and comprehensive ceasefire and an end of violence.OIC was praised for calling the violence and bloodshed in Afghanistan religiously illegitimate.   In conclusion all members of HoA-IP declared they are committed to peace, stability and prosperity in Afghanistan. After two days of HOA-IP conference President Ashraf Ghani returned home on Tuesday evening. MENAFN30032021000228011069ID1101834351