KABUL ranged from 4 to 8 percent.
“Imposition of the will of a minority on the absolute majority can only lead to prolonged conflict,” the president said, while addressing the 20th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) heads of state meeting via a video link.
“As respect for sovereignty is a cardinal principle of SCO, we ask all of you to support a sustainable peace process within the framework of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.”
Ghani said SCO was a unique platform for economic, political and security cooperation and has a unique opportunity to accelerate transformation of Euro-Asia into a continental economy through economic, political, and security cooperation.
“This is key to overcoming the threats and generating the momentum for global recovery and sustained growth. “
Positioned at the heart of Asia, Afghanistan was right at the center of the untapped potential that could bring enhanced prosperity and peace to the region, the president said. “Estimates show that some of our neighbors could gain 1 to 2 percent additional rates in their GDP with peace in Afghanistan.”
Having been at the point of intersection of famed Asian roads, ranging from the grand trunk and lapis lazuli to silk and spice roads, Ghani said they were an Asian roundabout, where goods, ideas, and people flowed freely and civilizations enriched each other.
By location, history outlook and choice, the Afghan leader said they were poised to provide a platform for regional and global cooperation, especially by connecting Central, South and West Asia to and from East Asia by land.
However, he said realization of this vision required collective action against forces of disorder, particularly drug traffickers and terrorist networks that were bent on destroying them to exploit their location for the pursuit of their delusions.
“We, the people and government of Afghanistan, have chosen to overcome the past. Your consensus, distinguished leaders, to support the quest of the Afghan people to achieve peace and prosperity within the constitutional framework of our Islamic Republic will have positive consequences not only for us, but also for the realization of the Euro-Asian open moment in history. “
Ghani said they gratefully acknowledge the cooperation of Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey on the Lapis Lazuli corridor, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Russia, China and Tajikistan in keeping the railway and food supply chains open on the silk. India provided over one- hundred thousand tons of wheat at a time when markets were jittery and kept the air corridor open.
Iran opened its transport corridors and offered free medical assistance to Afghan refugees, resulting in a very significant slowdown in the flow of returnees.
Pakistan gradually opened the transit and introduced a more liberal visa regime. These timely actions enabled the markets to fully function, allowing for delivery of basic goods across the country.
“We also gratefully acknowledge international support, particularly of ADB, the European Union, IMF, the World sector. We look forward to expanding this cooperation.”
Ghani said they were poised to accelerate large projects of regional connectivity and commence new ones. CASA-1000, the Khawaf-Herat railway, Aqina-Andkhoy railway, TAPI, TAP, and fiber optics will be either completed or start construction in Afghanistan. “We will be seeking joint financing with Uzbekistan for the Mazar-Kabul railway and expand our rail network significantly.”
“We have signed memorandum of understanding with Fortescue Metals Group to transform Afghanistan into a center of green industry through production of 20,000 megawatt from hydro and use it to produce zero emission steel and other products from an estimated $1 trillion mineral resources.”
He said they were also engaged in constructive discussions with other global corporations to generate 70,000 megawatts of wind and 220,000 megawatts of solar energy, thereby becoming a hub for renewable energy and green industry in the region.
“Multi-alignment, whereby we enhance our alignment of interests with all our regional and global partners but avoid becoming a party to their disagreements and disputes, is the guiding principle of our foreign policy.”
About terrorism, the president said: “We are living, and dying, inside the 5th wave of global terrorism, in which global terrorist networks are closely linked with global criminal organizations – particularly drug and human traffickers—making warfare totally unconventional and peace-building even more challenging. “
nh/ma
