China, Russia, Pakistan hold talks on Afghanistan issue

BEIJING - Diplomats from China, Russia and Pakistan on Wednesday held talks on the Afghanistan issue in Beijing, according to a written statement from the Foreign Ministry.

The statement said the three parties hold that the development of Afghanistan's situation is closely related to regional security and stability.

It said that China, Russia and Pakistan are close neighbors of Afghanistan, and the talks were conducive to increasing understanding, deepening trust and enhancing coordination among the three parties.

The parties agreed to make concerted efforts to maintain peace, stability and security in Afghanistan as well as the region, and to support the reconciliation process of the country run by Afghans themselves, said the statement.

They also agreed to support the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) to play a bigger role on the issue, it said.

The diplomats from the three nations also discussed beefing up cooperation in the fields of anti-terrorism and drug control within the framework of the Istanbul Process.

In November 2011, Afghanistan's neighbors gathered in Turkey and reached an agreement known as Istanbul Process, presenting a new vision for regional cooperation and promoting a stronger and sustainable economic future.

Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Yesui met with Russian and Pakistani delegations.