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Mr. President,
We welcome SRSG Haysom to the Security Council and thank him for his briefing. We look forward to working with him in support of Afghanistan's Decade of Transformation. We assure him of our fullest cooperation. I also thank Executive Director Fedotov for his briefing. I would also like to thank them for their words of sympathy and support on the dastardly terrorist attack in Peshawar.
We pay tribute to former SRSG Jan Kubis for his excellent stewardship of UNAMA.
Ambassador Zahir Tanin's statement this morning is appreciated.
Mr. President,
Afghanistan completed a historic political transition.
We fully support the forward looking vision and reform program of the Government of National Unity, including measures to strengthen the economy, governance and the rule of law, with the aim of achieving self-reliance.
We also welcome the government's call for dialogue and its determination to resolve differences through political means.
Mr. President,
Security transition in Afghanistan is now underway. We believe that the Bilateral Security Agreement with the US and the Status of Forces Agreement with NATO would provide the legal framework for continued international military assistance post-2014. Support expressed through Resolution 2189 is another positive signal.
ISAF would end its mission in Afghanistan in 13 days. Afghan forces would assume full responsibility for security. The Resolute Support Mission would be there to advise, train and assist. These are historic moments. We welcome the seamless transition.
It is the economic transition that would underpin stability. The Secretary General has expressed grave concern at the economic situation in the country. It is critical that the reform agenda put forward by President Ashraf Ghani is fully supported.
Mr. President,
The historic visit by President Ashraf Ghani to Pakistan, preceded by visit of our Adviser on National Security and Foreign Policy and high-level contacts in both civil and military fields, have contributed to an auspicious beginning - a resetting of the relationship, as called for by the Secretary General.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif shared his vision of a comprehensive and enduring partnership between the two countries, contributing to security and prosperity and reinforcing efforts for peace and development in the region during the visit of President Ghani.
We have agreed that terrorism is a common enemy. It must be fought with common endeavors, without any distinction.
We have initiated actions to deepen security cooperation, promote bilateral trade, streamline transit trade issues, build a strong economic relationship and enhance regional economic cooperation.
We welcome the Ministerial Conference of the Heart of Asia process in Beijing and have offered to host its Fifth Ministerial in Pakistan.
Mr. President,
We fully support the work of UNAMA. We appreciate its good offices, capacity building and coordination of assistance roles. We hope that it would continue to contribute to peace and stability of Afghanistan - our common goal.
Mr. President,
Let me conclude by reiterating what Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif proposed for consideration by international partners at the London Conference:
One, send a clear message of deeper engagement with Afghanistan.
Two, help address the urgent fiscal crisis and provide sustained financial assistance through the Transformation Decade, for building a secure and self-reliant Afghanistan.
Three, strengthen efforts in the fight against narcotics production and trafficking.
Four, support the new government’s desire to bring back 5 million Afghan refugees living abroad, by helping to create conducive conditions for their sustainable reintegration.
Five, support projects for regional connectivity – such as the Peshawar-Kabul Motorway and the rail link.
And finally, implement the vision of Afghanistan as a “land-bridge” by supporting communications and energy corridors.
I thank you.