Pakistan, China and Afghanistan- All set for more Regional Cooperation

With the commencement of the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor
(CPEC) the role of Pakistan and Afghanistan in the region has become
more important .As Afghanistan strategic location helps the Central Asian
Republics to have access to the Gulf and African markets through Gwader
, and Pakistan is being the hub of regional connectivity through Gwadar is
set to change the shape of international trade. In a bid to resolve key issue
as terrorism and peace in Afghanistan, Pakistan along with China and
Afghanistan has consistently been holding trilateral dialogues to address
issues. With key militant fighter s threatening both the relations and
CPEC,it is imperative for both Pakistan and Afganistan to address their
concerns in order to achieves the larger cause of regional connectivity. In
this connection Pakistan, China and Afghanistan signed a MOU vis-à-vis
anti-terrorism cooperation during a second trilateral ministerial dialogue in
Kabul on 15 December 2018.The MOU was signed by Pakistani Foreign
Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi and his Chinese as well as Afghan
counterparts Wang Yi and Salahuddin Rabbani, respectively.This signing
of documents was witnessed by Afghan President Ashraf Ghani.While
speaking of trilateral diologue. Salahuddin Rabbani said that collective
efforts were required to address the common challenge of terrorism. We
desire to strengthen our relations with Pakistan, during a joint press confer
he said and also appreciated the Chinese One Belt One Road initiative.
Shah Mehmood Qureshi during a joint press conference, called for a joint
strategy to eradicate terrorism from the region. He said he was visiting
Kabul the bridge the trust deficit between the two countries .We all want
peace and stability in Afghanistan; he said Pakistan will continue to play
facilitative role in Afhan reconciliation process. Will do everything to
support the growing momentum towards reconciliation provided other play their due role and share responsibility and create an enabling environment
towards that end. Whereas Chinese FM wang said that Beijing will extend
all possible cooperation to built trust and confidence between Pakistan
and Afghanistan. China will also assist in establishing connectivity projects
including a rail line between Peshawar and Kabul and Kandahar, he said
adding that Beijing desires to make Afganistan a part of the CPEC” China
and Pakistan congratulated Afghanistan on the completion of parlimatery
elections and welcomed the efforts of the Afghan government for holding
the presidential elections in 2019. During the dialogue the three sides
once again declared their commitment to further strengthening relations
deepening cooperation, and advancing connectivity under the Belt and
Road Initiative (BRI) Regional Economic Cooperation conference on
Afghanistan (RECCA) and other regional economic initiatives. They also
reiterated their strong resolve to fight terrorism in all its forms and
manifestations, and without any distinctions while agreeing to continue
efforts for building political mutual trust and support reconciliation,
development cooperation and connectivity, security cooperation and
counter-terrorism as the three areas of the trilateral cooperation. They
resolved to support the Afghan led inclusive peace process that was fully
supported regionally and internationally, as the most viable way to bring
peace in Afghanistan. In this regard, Chine and Pakistan appreciated the
efforts of President Asharaf Ghani especially for the comprehensive peace
plans. Moreover China expressed its readiness to support Afghanistan
and Pakistan in building immigration reception centre and drinking water
supply schemes at each side of the Ghulam Khan Khel crossing point, and
to explore cold storages at Chaman and Spin Boldak. They expressed
their strong determination not to allow any country, organization or
individual to use their respective territories for terrorist activities against
any other countries. They took stock of trilateral cooperation in their fight
against terrorism and underlined the need to further strengthen counter-
terrorism coordination and cooperation in an effort to combat all terrorist
groups and individuals without any discrimination.
Mr Qureshi reaffirmed commitment to eradication of terrorism, and also
said that “Better border management between Pakistan and Afghanistan and
intelligence sharing will be greatly beneficial for both the countries”. He also
added that “Pakistan will continue to play facilitative role on Afghan
reconciliation process and will do everything to support the growing momentum
towards reconciliation”. Presence of Afghan President Ashraf Ghani sent a
strong signal that Afghan govt wants to end this war. President Asharaf Ghani
met Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi af

promoting the reconciliation process in accordance with the country’s own will
with regards to the issue, which is a major reason for the smooth proceeding of
the trilateral dialogue. Moreover, Chinese Foreign Minister spokesman
HuaChunying while terming the second China-Afghanistan-Pakistan Trilateral
Foreign Minister’s Dialogue held in Kabul a great success said that China
would remain in close contact with two sides to implement the agreements
made during the dialogue. We believe the meeting is a great success. We will
remain in close contact with the two sides to implement these relevant
agreements, Chunying said during regular briefing.