LONDON: The United States, Britain and other allies promised on Thursday not to abandon Afghanistan’s new government, responding to pleas by Kabul for continued support as international security missions wind down and Taliban attacks surge.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and British Prime Minister David Cameron hosted envoys from over 60 countries for talks on nurturing civil society, curbing corruption and encouraging political reforms in Afghanistan.

The conference was also attended by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and US Secre­tary of State John Kerry.

PM Sharif reiterates solidarity with Afghan people

Mr Ghani was elected in September in Afghanistan’s first peaceful transition of power, but he has yet to form a stable cabinet.

“History will not be repeated. We have overcome the past,” Mr Ghani told diplomats at the end of the conference. “We ask all our partners and neighbours to stand with us because no country is a fortress.”

Mr Cameron assured Afghans that “we are with you every step of the way”.

The 13-year international combat mission in Afghanistan ends on Dec 31, although Mr Ghani has signed security agreements with Washington and Nato permitting a continued international military presence. Some 10,000 American troops will remain by the end of the year.

Insurgents have sought to destabilise Ghani’s government and unnerve international agencies with a series of high-profile attacks in Kabul. The West wants to see a stable government and action to curb the corruption that has long plagued Afghanistan, while that nation wants guarantees it won’t be forgotten after most international troops leave.

Afghanistan’s relations with Pakistan will be key to the country’s future. In a sign of thawing ties, Mr Ghani and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif met in Islamabad last month and the latter pledged support for the Afghan president’s attempt to bring the Taliban to the negotiating table.

Mr Sharif told the conference that the meeting had marked a “historic new beginning” for the two countries. “Pakistan remains in strong solidarity with the people of Afghanistan,” he said.

Over the past four years, the US has sent Afghanistan’s government $8 billion in assistance, and John Kerry promised on Thursday to ask the US Congress to approve “extraordinary” but unspecified levels of new aid through 2017.

He also said Washington and Kabul were trying to open investment opportunities for Afghans in the US by issuing multiple-entry visas for business travellers, students and tourists.

“We are committed to ensuring that Afghanistan can never again be used as a safe haven from which terrorists can threaten the international community,” Mr Kerry said, adding: “We know that the most effective way to advance this objective is to support Afghanistan’s political unity and its security.”

SHARIF HAILS GAINS: Prime Minister Sharif reiterated Pakistan’s solidarity with the people of Afghanistan and urged the international community to do more to help the Afghan leadership realise its vision.

He said Islamabad and Kabul were committed to advancing their common goal of a peaceful, stable, united and prosperous Afghanistan.

He said that over the past 13 years, Afghanistan had made significant gains in many important areas. “We fully support the government’s forward-looking vision and reform programme, including measures to strengthen the economy, governance, and the rule of law, with the overall aim of achieving self-reliance during the ‘transformation decade’, and its plans for regional connectivity.”

The prime minister welcomed Kabul’s call for dialogue and its determination to resolve differences through political means.

About his recent meeting with the Afghan president, he said he had shared with Mr Ghani his vision of a comprehensive and enduring partnership which contributed to security and prosperity of the two nations and reinforced efforts for peace and development in the region.

“We agreed that terrorism, a common enemy, must be fought through common endeavours, without any distinction. We reaffirmed the commitment that neither side would allow its territory to be used against the other,” Mr Sharif said.

He said the two countries had initiated actions to deepen security cooperation, promote bilateral trade and streamline transit trade issues, besides building a stronger economic relationship with a new focus on investments and enhanced regional economic cooperation. “We have also agreed to fast-track the implementation of key trans-regional energy projects, particularly CASA-1000 and TAPI gas pipeline.”

The prime minister said Pakistan and Afghanistan would also work together to promote the Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process as Pakistan will host its 5th ministerial conference next year.

Mr Sharif presented a nine-point formula for consideration by the international partners. These include the need for sending a clear message of deeper engagement with Afghanistan, respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Afghanistan and the dignity of its people. He also called for addressing the urgent fiscal crisis and providing sustained financial assistance through the ‘transformation decade’ for building a secure and self-reliant Afghanistan.

He stressed the need for cooperation to meet the development priorities of the Afghan government, besides strengthening efforts in the fight against narcotics production and trafficking.

Mr Sharif urged the international community to support the new government’s desire to bring back five million Afghan refugees living abroad by helping to create conditions conducive for their sustainable reintegration.

He also asked the international community to support projects for regional connectivity, such as the proposed Peshawar-Kabul motorway and a rail link. He called for reinforcing economic CBMs of the Heart of Asia as part of the regional processes for the stabilisation of Afghanistan.

The prime minister said history and geography had consistently posed challenges for the people of Afghanistan and mentioned the recent casualties suffered by the Afghan people from terrorist attacks in Paktika and Kabul. “I offer my sincere condolences to the families of those who lost their loved ones.”

MEETING: US Secretary of State John Kerry met Prime Minister Sharif on the sidelines of the London conference. Matters relating to bilateral interest and regional situation came under discussion.

Published in Dawn, December 5th, 2014