Pakistan, Netherlands discuss Afghanistan situation

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan and Netherlands discuss the situation in Afghanistan during a meeting between the Foreign Minister of Pakistan, Shah Mahmood Qureshi and the visiting Dutch Foreign Minister, Sigrid Kaag here in Islamabad on Wednesday.

Addressing the joint press stakeout with his Dutch counterpart Sigrid Kaag in Islamabad on Wednesday night, Qureshi has urged the international community to remain conscious of humanitarian assistance and prevent an economic collapse in Afghanistan.

He said evacuation has almost been done and we will facilitate further if there are some people to leave Afghanistan. He said we are looking at the next phase: what kind of government is formed in Afghanistan, how inclusive it is and how we react to it. The Pakistani Foreign Minister said both Pakistan and Netherlands share convergence of views on many issues.

Speaking on the occasion, the Netherlands Foreign Minister said her country has long been a contributor to the prospects and growth of the people of Afghanistan.

She said the Netherlands generally contributes around 60 million euros as humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan through the United States or Non-Governmental Organizations and it will continue to do so in future as well.

We are cognizant of the fact that humanitarian needs are growing, particularly at this time and stage, said Kaag. She said the European Union will hopefully put together a new strategy on how to deal with the possible risk and continue to build a counter terrorism strategy to focus on humanitarian needs to ensure that requirements of the people of Afghanistan, women and girls, ethnic minorities, young men and women are met. She also emphasized on finding ways to achieve the sustainable development agenda to be present and to continue to invest to avert future migration crisis. Sigrid Kaag said that an inclusive political settlement is vital for a stable and peaceful Afghanistan. She said the Netherlands is also keen to invest in Pakistan to assist job growth in the country and appreciated Pakistan for hosting a large number of Afghan refugees for several decades.

Source: Kuwait News Agency

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