Chinese mediators insist on Afghan-Pakistani consensus

Afghanistan and Pakistan, mediated by China, have agreed to strengthen regional and economic ties to defuse tension and push for more dialogue and cooperation to bring peace and stability to the region.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said his Asian tour, which led him to neighboring countries, resulted in a joint statement that would ensure Kabul and Islamabad agree to improve bilateral relations and restore confidence-building efforts between them.

"Pakistani-Afghan consensus sends a positive message to the world," Wang Yi said at the end of his meeting with Pakistani President Mamnoun Hussein. According to the joint communiqué issued by the foreign ministries of the three countries, Pakistan and Afghanistan have agreed to take part in confronting the security challenges, especially the fight against terrorism, under the auspices of a Chinese willing to provide assistance to the neighboring countries if necessary.

The Chinese mediation has also secured a commitment from Kabul and Islamabad to establish a crisis management mechanism, including prevention through timely and effective exchange of information, to maintain contacts to combat terrorism and other emergencies.

In the same vein, the three States have committed themselves to supporting the peace process in Afghanistan, to achieve peace and reconciliation between the Government and the Taliban.

Kabul accuses its neighbor of supporting the activities and attacks of the Taliban and Haqqani network in Afghanistan, which Pakistan denies.

Tensions between the two countries increased after the Afghan capital Kabul witnessed a series of terrorist attacks, most notably the attack on the "Akbar Akbar Khan" area in Kabul at the end of May, killing about 150 people and injuring more than 400 others.

After the attack, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani blamed the government of Islamabad for what he called an "undeclared war" against his country, which was rejected by the neighboring country.