KABUL (Pajhwok): US Special Representative for Afghan Reconciliation Process Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad has held a video meeting with President Ashraf Ghani and Head of High Council for National Reconciliation (HCNR) Abdullah Abdullah.
The US peace envoy in a series of tweets said: “@AdamUSDFC & I held a video call with Pres @ashrafghani & HCNR Chair @DrabdullahCE earlier this wk. We share a common view that economic benefits of peace far outweigh benefits of war. A sustainable peace can mean investment with less risk, lower cost & faster capital deployment.”
He said: “On peace we emphasized the immediate step is to rapidly resolve the remaining issues surrounding the start of intra-Afghan negotiations. Delay provides opportunities for spoilers.”
The meeting discussed importance of quick-hit programs as well as longer term infrastructure programs that will provide significant employment opportunities. Power & health care are 2 critical areas that merit support. They help with economic development and improve peoples’ quality of life.
Khalilzad believed that Investment was possible only if Afghan leaders made the decisions conducive for economic development. “We also emphasized the importance of regional economic development and prosperity.”
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