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Press release on the fourth ministerial conference of Afghanistan's neighbouring countries, Samarkand, April 13, 2023

13 April 2023 16:14
699-13-04-2023

On April 13, Samarkand (Uzbekistan) hosted the fourth ministerial conference of Afghanistan's neighbouring countries (which included Russia, China, Iran, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan). Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov took part in the event.

During the meeting, the current situation in Afghanistan and the surrounding region was discussed. The parties' interest in the development of Afghanistan as a peaceful, unified and independent state, which will pose no security threat to third countries, was reaffirmed.

The importance of creating a truly inclusive government in Kabul, reflecting the interests of key ethno-political groups, was noted. The attention of the Afghan authorities was also drawn to the need to comply with basic human rights principles, in particular guaranteeing the rights of women and girls to work and education, respectively. The countries in the region expressed their readiness to assist Kabul in stepping up efforts to eradicate terrorism and drug crime and to improve the socio-economic situation in the country.

The participants emphasised the responsibility of the US and its NATO allies for the results of their disastrous 20-year Afghan military campaign, which resulted in the current dismal state of affairs. It was stressed that the countries of the collective West should assume the main financial burden for the post-conflict rehabilitation of Afghanistan. Specifically, it was noted that it is necessary for the West to promptly unblock Afghanistan's national assets, which is especially important for resolving the humanitarian crisis in that country. The Russian side pointed out that the US and NATO attempts to deploy their military infrastructure on the territories of Afghanistan's neighbouring countries were unacceptable.

The participants also discussed regional economic problems and the prospects for implementing infrastructure projects with Afghanistan's possible integration.