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SCO Summit: President Ghani Says Regional Cooperation Key to Deal with Terrorist Networks

Kabul (BNA)  Addressing the virtual meeting of the council of heads of state of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization here yesterday, President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani said State to state cooperation within a regional and global framework was key to dealing with all terrorist networks attempting to disrupt peace, progress and cooperation.

Delivering his virtual speech from the presidential palace that was also attended by acting Foreign Minister Mohammad Hanif Atmar, the president said that “the inhumane attack on Kabul University, regardless of who claimed responsibility, was a symptom of cult of violence & reliance on drug production, & smuggling of our natural capital and cultural heritage as sources of funding that requires a reality check.”

“We are living, and dying, inside the 5th wave of global terrorism, in which global terrorist networks are closely linked with global criminal organizations – particularly drug and human traffickers—making warfare totally unconventional and peace-building even more challenging,” the president added, as his speech was aired by state-run national Television of Afghanistan.

The president went on saying that unfortunately, not only the promised reduction of violence and comprehensive ceasefire has not been realized, but the violence by the Taliban has increased substantially.

“As drug addiction has become a serious problem in our society, we are ready to deal with this regional and global challenge with a true sense of urgency,” the president said.

“We are ready and able to expand our cooperation with SCO members and observers in counter-terrorism and counter-narcotics,” the president added.

President Ghani went on saying that positioned at the heart of Asia, Afghanistan was right at the center of the untapped potential that could bring enhanced prosperity and peace to the region.

“Having been at the point of intersection of famed Asian roads, ranging from the grand trunk and lapis lazuli to silk and spice roads, we were an Asian roundabout, where goods, ideas, and people flowed freely and civilizations enriched each other,” he added.

“By location, history outlook and choice, we are poised to provide a platform for regional and global cooperation, especially by connecting Central, South and West Asia to and from East Asia by land,” he said.

President Ghani said that memorandum of understanding was signed with Fortescue Metals Group to transform Afghanistan into a center of green industry through production of 20,000 megawatt from hydro & use it to produce zero emission steel & other products from an estimated $1 trillion mineral resources.

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