Heart of Asia members call for cooperation to ensure dismantling of terrorist sanctuaries

A key conference on Afghanistan has called for concerted regional and international cooperation to ensure the dismantling of terrorist sanctuaries and disrupting all financial, tactical, logistical or any other form of support for terrorism without any distinction.

A key conference on Afghstan has called for concerted regional and international cooperation to ensure the dismantling of terrorist sanctuaries and disrupting all financial, tactical, logistical or any other form of support for terrorism without any distinction.

A declaration was adopted on Tuesday after the 9th Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process (HoA-IP) Ministerial Conference. The declaration was adopted by the foreign ministers and high-level representatives of the participating countries, including India, China, Russia, and Pakistan. From India, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar participated in the conference.

"We strongly call for concerted 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," it said.

In the declaration, all member nations condemned all terrorist activities in all "forms and mfestations" and emphasized the need for an immediate, permanent and comprehensive ceasefire in Afghstan, and called for the resumption of mengful peace negotiations and full respect for International Humtarian Law.

Regarding the continued relations between the Taliban and international terrorist groups, including al-Qaeda, it reaffirmed the importance of ensuring that the territory of Afghstan is not used as safe havens for any terrorist groups or foreign terrorist entities.

"While condemning in the strongest terms all terrorist activities in all forms and mfestations as being criminal and unjustifiable, we emphasize the need for an immediate, permanent and comprehensive ceasefire, resume mengful peace negotiations and full respect for International Humtarian Law," it said.

The member nations extended their support to the ongoing efforts for the peace process and the continuation of the negotiations between the Afghan government and the Taliban.

"We acknowledge that long-term stability and prosperity in the region require peace and security in Afghstan, and therefore the region, as well as the international community, has a shared responsibility and common interest to work together for promoting peace and stability in Afghstan and the region as a whole," said the declaration.

On counter-narcotics efforts, the declaration said that drug trafficking and the illicit drug trade pose a threat to the socio-economic development, security, and stability not only in Afghstan but also in the surrounding region.

Commending countries in the region and beyond for their hospitality and support in hosting millions of Afghan refugees for four decades, it called for creating conducive conditions in Afghstan for voluntary, safe, dignified, and sustainable repatriation of the refugees.

It urged the international community to continue to assist host countries in taking care of the essential needs of Afghan refugees and to provide support to the repatriation and reintegration efforts by the Afghan government and targeted assistance for their voluntary, safe and dignified repatriation and their sustainable reintegration in Afghstan, with emphasis on youth, education, and livelihoods.

The Heart of Asia - Istanbul Process is an initiative of the Republic of Afghstan and the Republic of Turkey, which was officially launched at a conference hosted by Turkey in Istanbul on 2 November 2011.

( With inputs from ANI )