KABUL - President Ashraf Ghani has asked regional countries for greater cooperation in the fight against terrorism -- a huge threat to Afghanistan and other states.
A statement from Presidential Palace said on Saturday Ghani issued the call at 17th Shaghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meeting on Friday in Kazakhstan’s capital Astana.
He extended congratulations to India and Pakistan on becoming permanent members of the SCO and said their full membership status brought more responsibilities to them.
Referring to the important role of the SCO, the president said linkages between Asia and Europe had been further enhanced.
He said his country was a prime victim in the campaign against terrorism and currently more than 20 terrorist groups were waging a war on the people of Afghanistan.
“Our nation is mourning and this because of the recent terrorist attacks that targeted our people, who rendered sacrifices in this war on a daily basis,” the president said.
He added the people of Afghanistan wanted justice and hoped that regional efforts in the war against terrorism would proceed in line with Afghans’ aspirations.
“Afghanistan hopes SCO members would work on a joint strategy to curb terrorism and drug trafficking and initiate dialogue on how to dismantle global terrorist networks.
“I am here to offer you greater support in the war against terrorism and joint efforts against regional networks that threatened Afghanistan and other regional countries,” the president remarked.
He urged regional countries to clearly define global terrorism and state-sponsored terrorism. He noted growing cooperation among SCO members and South Asia as an important step.
Ghani said peace and stability was a key demand of the people of regional countries and thus there was need for more cooperation. He said Afghanistan enjoyed great economic relations with Turkmenistan.
Ghani returned home on Friday night after attending the SCO summit. On the sidelines of the event, he met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Pakistani Premier Nawaz Sharif and other world leaders. (Pajhwok)