ISTANBUL - An international conference on the future of Afghanistan concluded on Wednesday with 29 nations and international agencies pledging to work together in various areas and to follow up in the Afghan capital of Kabul in 2012. The "İstanbul Conference for Afghanistan: Security and Cooperation in the Heart of Asia," hosted by Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu, brought together regional leaders on Wednesday to find ways to improve security and economic development in Afghanistan as international combat forces prepare to leave by the end of 2014.

Davutoğlu and his Afghan counterpart, Zalmai Rassoul, on Wednesday afternoon presented the conference's declaration "İstanbul Process," a document both ministers said includes confidence-building measures to work toward peace in the region as well as a commitment by participating nations and international groups to meet one year from now to evaluate progress in the region. "We had a very productive dialogue," Davutoğlu said. "Here we announce the Istanbul Process, a declaration for the establishment of peace and stability in Afghanistan. Eleven ministers and 10 international agencies came together pledge their commitment to Afghanistan." But the meeting was also a reminder of the work that remains to be done.

"The terrorism, extremism, as well as drugs and human trafficking that Afghanistan is struggling against are not problems that one country can deal with on its own," Turkish President Abdullah Gül said during the conference.

Davutoğlu said that, as in Tuesday's trilateral summit between Afghanistan, Pakistan and Turkey, the assassination of former Afghan President Burhanuddin Rabbani was a focal point on the conference's agenda. "The assassination has shown that for the future of Afghanistan all groups should come together to establish peace. These were attacks on the peace process in Afghanistan," he said.

But Rabanni's death last month should be the beacon to continue, not hinder work towards peace in Afghanistan, Davutoğlu said. "If Rabbani was alive to be here today, he would say, 'When they attacked me they were attacking the peace process, so we should never stop.' We should continue efforts for peace in Afghanistan."

The work towards peace in Afghanistan must be a regional effort, Davutoğlu stressed. "Stability and security in Afghanistan mean stability and security in the whole region."

"Twenty-nine nations and international agencies gathered around the same table, showing that Afghanistan has a very important location and position that brings different groups with different ideas together," he continued.
Rassoul thanked Turkey for its "excellent leadership and the participating countries for their active, effective contributions in supporting Afghanistan."

As a show of solidarity, the meeting was a success, but it was also a reminder of how much remains unsolved. "The terrorism, extremism, as well as drugs and human trafficking that Afghanistan is struggling against are not problems that one country can deal with on its own," Turkish President Gül said. (Agencies)