STATEMENT BY HIS EXCELLENCY HAMID KARZAI
PRESIDENT OF THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF AFGHANISTAN
AT THE SHANGHAI CO-OPERATION ORGANISATION’S 10TH SUMMIT
Honorable, President Nur Sultan Nazarbyev,
Excellencies,
Distinguished Delegates,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is an honor to be with you for this milestone Summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, marking ten years of the organization’s existence and its commitment to regional peace, stability and security. Within a remarkably short time-frame, the SCO has evolved into an influential body for security and economic cooperation. I bring to you the best wishes of the people of Afghanistan for the continued success of the Organization.
I thank our gracious host, President Nur Sultan Nazarbayev for his warm welcome. I am confident that under his wise leadership, this Summit will further strengthen the Shanghai Cooperation Organization as an instrument for harmonious engagement towards peace, security and progress in the region.
Excellencies,
Prosperity and well-being of SCO community of nations is undoubtedly dependent on peace and stability in the region. As such, it is imperative for us to deepen and intensify the scope and scale of cooperation towards these objectives.
In Afghanistan, we have been pursuing peace and reconciliation with those Taliban who are ready to sever their association with terrorist groups and accept the Afghan Constitution. We look to the support SCO Members and Observers in the pursuit of this endeavor. We seek support for the removal from the UN-Sanction list the names of those Taliban who are prepared to embrace peace and reconciliation. We also seek genuine partnership and collaboration to combat the threats of terrorism; illicit circulation of weapons, ammunitions, explosive materials, drugs and their precursors.
At present, Afghanistan is going through a transition; this process will see Afghan security forces taking responsibility, in an incremental manner, from the US and NATO forces. We are determined to take full responsibility of our security by 2014. This will allow the military forces of our international partners to withdraw from Afghanistan.
Afghanistan’s long-term stability and economic development will, however, require the support and co-operation of the international community well beyond 2014. In this context, we are negotiating long- term, comprehensive partnerships with our regional and international partners, including the United States of America.
Excellencies:
The United States and the international community came to Afghanistan at a time when we lacked a national government, national security forces, a national economy, and any hope of breaking away from the vicious cycle of violence. Over the past ten years, our cooperation with the international community, including our neighbors and countries of the region, has brought tangible benefits: a better economy, a revived educational system, improved health, and the recovery of Afghanistan’s broken infrastructure.
However, our people are yet to experience a life of peace and security - a life free from terrorism and violence. Not less importantly, our government institutions and national economy still remain vulnerable and in need of continued support.
At the same time, it is the wish of the Afghan people that the presence of the United States and other NATO/ISAF forces in our country be regulated. We are a sovereign country and it is natural that the laws in force in Afghanistan be those of Afghanistan. We are working to ensure that the presence of all NATO/ISAF forces adhere to our national laws and the requirements of a sovereign nation. This year, we intend to convene a Loya Jirga of the Afghan people to seek their guidance on all the issues related to strategic partnerships.
In our bilateral and multilateral discussions with the United States and NATO, we are mindful of the regional dimensions, as well as the concerns of our neighbors. We will not enter into a partnership if we have reason to believe that it might jeopardize the security of our neighbors or that of our region.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
We see our future deeply rooted in this region. Our region has enormous potential to grow. Some among us, such as China, India and Russia, are experiencing extraordinary growth rates in their economies and standards of living. These nations can and should serve as the engines of growth for the rest of the region. Closer regional co-operation among us, particularly in the areas of trade, transit, transportation, energy, and communication is the vehicle towards regional integration. Afghanistan is prepared to engage in all these areas of cooperation.
Afghanistan is endowed with substantial mineral wealth, the exploitation of which can propel our region to become an important economic center of the globe. We highly appreciate Chinese investment in our copper mines. We invite all our friends and partners to follow China’s example in investing in our economy.
Excellencies
Over the past decade, we have focused on expanding our bilateral relations with each of the SCO member states. Our friendly relations are solidly rooted in the cultural, historical and economic ties that have flourished among us over centuries. We believe that these bonds can be nurtured and further strengthened under the SCO framework. We have valued our presence at SCO as a Guest Country for the past years. Today, we seek to become an Observer at this important forum. We hope that the Council of Heads of State of SCO would respond positively to our request. I thank the Russian Federation for encouraging us to take this step. I also deeply appreciate the support already expressed by other SCO members in this regard.
Ladies and gentlemen,
The future holds tremendous opportunities for prosperity and well-being for all of us. Solidarity and partnership must be the foundations of our shared future. Afghanistan stands ready to cooperate with the SCO to unlock our collective potentials and achieve a better, safer, and more prosperous region.
Thank You.
ASTANA, KASAKHSTAN
15 June 2011
