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'Afghanistan, Pakistan to end blame game' over Taliban: Kabul

Wednesday, 09 December 2015 4:42 PM [ Last Update: Wednesday, 09 December 2015 6:23 PM ]

Pakistan's National Security Advisor Sartaj Aziz (L) and Afghan Foreign Minister Salahuddin Rabbani arrive for a joint press conference at the Foreign Ministry in Islamabad on December 9, 2015. (AFP photo)

Afghanistan and Pakistan agree to stop accusing each other for the Taliban-led violence that has been plaguing both countries, the Afghan foreign minister says.

Salahuddin Rabbani made the remarks at a regional conference in the Pakistani capital, Islamabad where the participants plan to discuss regional issues, particularly security, political, and economic cooperation between Afghanistan and its neighbors.

"One thing that we have agreed is that this blame game should end," Rabbani told reporters on Wednesday.

Rabbani also called on Pakistan to help restart stalled peace talks between the Kabul government and various factions of Taliban.

"And we should make sure that the two countries should co-operate with each other to make elements, those reconcilable elements of Taliban, come to the negotiating table," Rabbani said.

"Pakistan is an important country. We share a very long border with Pakistan. We very much hope that Pakistan can play a very influential role, a very important role, in the Peace and Reconciliation process."

The Afghan foreign minister also expressed his government's readiness to hold talks with militant groups willing to renounce violence and lay down arms.

"We have all agreed - Afghanistan agrees - that the surest way to peace and stability in Afghanistan is through negotiations and talks. And we welcome all those opposition elements who renounce violence, who accept Afghanistan's constitution, and who disarm and join the government-led peace and reconciliation process."

Pakistan's National Security Advisor Sartaj Aziz (C-R) and Afghan Foreign Minister Salahuddin Rabbani (C-L) speak during a joint press conference at the Foreign Ministry in Islamabad on December 9, 2015. (AFP photo)

Pakistan hosted a first round of peace talks between Taliban and Afghan leaders back in July. The talks stalled after the militants belatedly announced the death of their longtime leader Mullah Omar.

There have also been growing differences among Taliban elements over peace talks with the Afghan government, with some vowing to fight for power instead of taking part in negotiations.

This comes as relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan have been tense in recent years over the ongoing militancy. Senior Afghan officials blame elements inside the Pakistani spy agency, Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), for supporting the Taliban militants, while Islamabad blames the Afghan government for giving shelter to the militants on its side of the border.

The United States and its allies invaded Afghanistan in 2001 as part of Washington’s so-called war on terror. The offensive removed Taliban from power, but insecurity still remains in several provinces. The violence has also spilled over into Pakistan.

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