Khalilzad Discusses Afghan Peace with Chinese, Russian Counterparts

United States Special Representatives for Afghanistan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad met with Chinese, Russian counterparts in Washington to discuss measurable efforts for peace in Afghanistan, Department of State said in a statement.

“Representatives of the United States, China, and Russia met in Washington, D.C., March 21-22, 2019. The parties exchanged views on the current status of the Afghan peace process and discussed common efforts to bring peace, prosperity, and security to Afghanistan,” the statement said.

All representatives underscored their respect for the sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of Afghanistan, as well as Afghanistan’s right to make its own political, security, and economic decisions, the statement added.

The statement further added the group will meet again in the future to further scrutinize the topic for betterment of a peaceful Afghanistan; the time and venue will be set through “diplomatic channels”.

“The United States, China, and Russia agreed to continue further discussions. The exact date and venue for the next meeting will be decided through diplomatic channels. The parties will continue to seek common efforts and coordination on the Afghan peace process,” the statement read.

Meanwhile, Khalilzad said in a tweet late Friday that he met with his “counterparts from Russia, China and EU with aspirations to discuss Afghan peace process, and the country not to be a threatening ground against other nations.

“…Met with my counterparts from Russia & China and then the EU before we all came together for lunch. We respect Afghan sovereignty, want peace for all Afghans & seek an #Afghanistan that is never a source of threat for any of us.

Welcome the robust interest in #AfghanPeaceProcess. Met with my counterparts from Russia & China and then the EU before we all came together for lunch. We respect Afghan sovereignty, want peace for all Afghans & seek an #Afghanistan that is never a source of threat for any of us. pic.twitter.com/MojOICulC4

— U.S. Special Representative Thomas West (@US4AfghanPeace) March 22, 2019