Fruitful meeting on Afghanistan

The foreign ministers' conference on the Istanbul Process is the first large international conference sponsored by China on reconstruction in Afghanistan and also the first international conference held after the formation of Afghanistan's new government. The Chinese side hopes the new government can lead its people toward peace, stability and development during the political, security and economic transitions the nation is undergoing. It is also China's hope that the multilateral meeting can promote enhanced regional cooperation and jointly contribute to the security and stability of the ravaged country and the region.

www.people.com.con, Oct 31

The Beijing Declaration passed by the foreign ministers' meeting carries commitments to and anticipations for Afghanistan from regional countries and the international community. Consensuses reached at the conference, such as the agreement to support the new government's efforts to ensure a smooth transition and peaceful reconstruction, and its efforts to promote political reconciliation among various factions will help bring the country back onto a normal development track. The 64 prioritized cooperation projects confirmed at the meeting will also enable Kabul to pursue a development path suitable for its national conditions and realize a real society ruled by Afghans themselves.