“Sangar”: The countries of the Moscow Format turned to the Taliban* with a request to destroy the terrorist organizations they cover. The Taliban will never do that. At one time, their leader Mullah Umar surrendered Afghanistan but did not surrender Osama bin Laden. This is a false expectation, reminiscent of a sheep turning to a wolf for justice. The Taliban is itself a terrorist group. It is not clear what actually happened behind the scenes of this meeting. But if they truly believe the Taliban will listen to them, then they have done nothing worthwhile against America's efforts to create an inclusive government.
Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation
JOINT STATEMENT OF THE PARTICIPANTS OF THE MOSCOW FORMAT
On November 16, 2022, the fourth meeting of the Moscow Format Consultations on Afghanistan was held in which special representatives and senior officials from Russia, China, Pakistan, Iran, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan adopted the following statement.
The participants of the meeting discussed the current situation in Afghanistan with an emphasis on regional security, military-political stability, and socio-economic and humanitarian issues.
Reiterated their commitment to a peaceful, unified, sovereign, independent, and economically developing Afghanistan, free from the threats of terrorism and drug trafficking.
Afghanistan was requested to fulfill its commitments to eradicate terrorism and drug trafficking emanating from its territory, take more visible steps against all terrorist organizations, and to firmly fight, dismantle and eliminate them, so as to ensure that Afghanistan would never again serve as a breeding ground, safe haven or source of proliferation for terrorism. Participants reaffirmed their readiness to assist Afghanistan in this regard. In this context, participants strongly condemned the terror attacks targeting innocent afghan civilians at public places, including educational institutes and the recent attack at the Russian Embassy in Kabul.
It was stressed that the placement of military infrastructure facilities of third countries in Afghanistan and in adjacent states is unacceptable.
Expressed support for the Afghan authorities in developing crop substitution programs and cracking down on narcotics production and trafficking, and in their overall efforts to eliminate the drug problem.
The importance of forming a truly inclusive government in Afghanistan, reflecting the interests of all major ethnopolitical groups of the country, was emphasized. The importance of practical engagement with Afghanistan in this regard was also highlighted.
Underscoring that an economic meltdown in Afghanistan would lead to a mass exodus of refugees, and promote extremism, terrorism, and instability, concern was expressed about the aggravation of the migration situation around Afghanistan, which could pose a threat to the peace and stability in neighboring countries. Participants noted that assistance to Afghanistan in restoring the national economy would create decent living conditions for the population and reduce the outflow of migrants abroad.
The participants commended Afghanistan’s neighboring countries for the hospitality in hosting millions of Afghan refugees and emphasized the importance of a safe, dignified, time-bound and well-resourced repatriation of refugees back to Afghanistan.
All sides stressed upon the need to intensify efforts for the provision of humanitarian and economic assistance to the Afghan people in the post-conflict reconstruction of the country. The strengthening of Afghan authorities’ efforts to ensure the basic rights and freedoms of the population were noted as important. The sides also expressed their support for the fundamental rights of all ethnic groups, including minorities, women and children, providing equal access to justice and education respectively.
Convinced that the forces responsible for the 20-year military presence in Afghanistan should take on main financial burden for the post-conflict reconstruction of the Afghan economy for the welfare and well-being of common Afghans without intervention in internal affairs of Afghanistan. Noted that all sections of Afghan society have requested in common that the US unfreeze overseas assets and urged to take all necessary steps to release the blocked afghan national reserves. Most of the delegations agreed to make a call to compensate for the damage caused to the Afghan people during the years of US – NATO presence.
The relevance of coordinating regional efforts to promote intra-Afghan national reconciliation, strengthen security and stability in the region under the auspices of the Moscow format of consultations and other important forums such the Neigbouring Countries of Afghanistan, Delhi Regional Security Dialogue was noted. The participants expressed their readiness to continue joint steps towards a peaceful Afghanistan.
Called for the development of common, coordinated approaches to cooperating with the interim government of Afghanistan, including at the United Nations. Participants supported the establishment of the international negotiating group on Afghanistan under the United Nations auspices.
* The organization is banned or under UN sanctions for terrorist activities.
