Tuesday, May 17, 2016
Kabul (BNA) Extremist groups pose a shared threat to Afghanistan and China, Chief Executive Dr. Abdullah Abdullah has said, calling for concerted efforts to combat terrorism.
After his arrival in China on a three-day visit, Dr. Abdullah told diplomats students of the University of International Relations in Beijing to focus on terrorism in Afghanistan.
China and Afghanistan had a commonality of interests, he noted, emphasizing attempts to stabilize the region. He underlined a joint Sino-Afghan campaign to address common concerns. In response to a query from the only Afghan student at the university, the CEO said China enjoyed cordial relations with regional countries that had close links with the Taliban.
He believed Beijing, exercising its influence, could mount pressure on those countries to sincerely cooperate with the Afghan peace process. However, he did not name any country. Dr. Abdullah opined China, a member of Quadrilateral Coordination Group (QCG), could play a key role in promoting reconciliation in Afghanistan.
“Though its security forces are capable of defending their homeland, Afghanistan has kept open its doors for talks with all insurgent groups,” the former foreign minister added.
During his visit from China, Dr. Abdullah met with foreign relation in charge of the country’s communist party in Beijing where the both sides discussed enhancing bilateral ties, people to people exchange and sharing of the experiences.
CE Dr. Abdullah Abdullah also held talks on Monday with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang in Beijing where the two leaders discussed a number of issues including ways to enhance bilateral ties, in economic, security and international spheres.
Chief Executive singed six Memorandum of Understandings (MoU) on bilateral cooperation with the Chinese premier here in Beijing, to enhance cooperation in infrastructure, agriculture, education and export of China’s industrial capacity.
It’s Dr. Abdullah’s first visit to China since taking office as Afghanistan’s Chief Executive in September 2014. Abdullah, who arrived in Beijing on Sunday, is on a four-day trip to China.
