President Ghani leaves Kabul for Tashkent summit

KABUL themed “Peace process, security cooperation and regional collaboration.”

A statement the Presidential Palace said the president was accompanied by a high level delegation. Besides delivering his speech in the conference, President Ghani would also discuss bilateral relations and cooperation with his host Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev

On the sidelines of the conference, Ghani would meet with representatives from some other countries, including Federica Mogherini, EU high representative for foreign affairs and security policy.

The Presidential Palace said Foreign Minister Salahuddin Rabbani, National Security Advisor Mohammad Hanif Atmar, Minister of Finance Eklil Hakimi, advisor on infrastructure Hamayon Qayyumi were part of the president’s delegation.

Deputy High Peace Council (HPC) chief Mohammad Akram Khpalwak, deputy foreign minister Hekmat Khalil Karzai, Mohammad Shakir Kargar, Abdul Salam Rahimi, Bator Dostum, Fazal Mohmood Fazli and Sherzad Akbar are also accompanying the president on the trip.

Representatives from more than 20 countries are expected to take part in the event including from the United States, the European Union, Pakistan, Iran, China, Russia, and the five Central Asian nations.

Before the Tashkent conference, President Ghani at the so-called Kabul Process event held in Kabul on February 28 had proposed peace talks with the Taliban, without preconditions.

sa/ma