German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hosted a meeting with Central Asian leaders in Berlin, Germany, on Friday, during which they reiterated their commitment to the development of Afghanistan as a secure, stable, and prosperous nation that upholds human rights.
According to an official statement, Chancellor Scholz held discussions with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of Kazakhstan, President Sadyr Zhaparov of the Kyrgyz Republic, President Emomali Rahmon of Tajikistan, Chairman Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov of the People’s Council of Turkmenistan, and President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan in Berlin.
During a candid and constructive exchange, the leaders celebrated the strengthening of relations between the Central Asian states and Germany over the past three decades, since the establishment of diplomatic ties, as outlined in the statement.
“The leaders reaffirmed their unwavering dedication to the development of Afghanistan as a secure, peaceful, stable, and prosperous nation that upholds the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all Afghan citizens, especially women, girls, and ethnic groups,” the statement read.
According to the statement, “they recognized the international community’s efforts to provide humanitarian aid to the Afghan people in a principled manner, in accordance with international law and universally recognized norms and principles.”
The leaders emphasized the significance of various EU-UNDP projects and specialized education programs in the region, as well as the importance of financial support for these initiatives from donor states and organizations.
They stressed the necessity of an inclusive and representative government that actively involves all ethnic, religious, and political groups, as well as the protection and respect of the basic human rights and fundamental freedoms of all Afghan citizens, in addition to the economic revitalization, as crucial steps towards achieving lasting peace in Afghanistan.
Kazakhstan’s president in an address to the meeting dwelt separately on the situation in Afghanistan and said that “it is necessary to continue to support the efforts of the international community and especially the Central Asian states to prevent a humanitarian crisis in this country.”
In this context, he pointed out the importance of establishing the UN Regional Centre for Sustainable Development for Central Asia and Afghanistan in Almaty.
Afghan Herald/Agencies
