Kazakhstan calls for Stabilization in Afghanistan through Diplomacy and Development

    The social and economic rehabilitation of Afghanistan is an essential guarantee of regional and international security and stability, Kazakhstan’s Foreign Minister Yerzhan Kazykhanov told participants at the Istanbul conference on Afghanistan in Istanbul as he pledged Astana’s continued support for more robust international efforts to assist that country return to the peaceful life.
    The conference on November 2 brought together presidents of Afghanistan, Pakistan, Turkey, as well as foreign ministers of 24 countries, nine regional and international organizations.
    The participants discussed efforts to promote stability in Afghanistan and involve Afghanistan in regional, economic and political cooperation.
    In an interview with Tengrinews English ahead of the conference, Yerzhan Kazykhanov said: “Here in Kazakhstan, we clearly understand that period between now and 2014 is crucial for the countries of the region, because coalition forces will be leaving Afghanistan. But I think it should in no way mean that the international community is leaving Afghanistan,”
    At the conference, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu pointed out that by assisting Afghanistan, the countries mean a joint effort in restoring healthcare in Afghanistan and fighting against drug trafficking, Islamic radicalism and terrorism.
    “The failure of the international community in Afghanistan will have significant consequences for the entire world”, the Turkish foreign minister said.
    In his remarks, Yerzhan Kazykhanov noted that during its chairmanship of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), Kazakhstan has been pushing for the organization to play a greater role in addressing the Afghan problem.
    “We continue to do so as the Chair of the OSCE Contact Group of Asian Partners for Cooperation. Afghanistan is also a top priority for our chairmanship in the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) since June this year,” he said.
    Underlining the importance of this forum for stabilizing the situation in Afghanistan, Kazykhanov defined the promotion of internal reconciliation and the creation of conditions for the country’s peaceful and effective development in the context of regional cooperation as the next mid-term goals in Afghanistan, Kazakhstan's MFA said.