Russia, Kazakhstan to continue promoting Afghanistan settlement - Putin-Nazarbayev joint statement
CHELYABINSK. Nov 9 (Interfax) - The presidents of Russia and Kazakhstan have declared their determination to continue aiding the settlement process in Afghanistan, including within multilateral formats.
"The presidents of Russia and Kazakhstan share the view that the earliest possible achievement of peace and stability in Afghanistan is an important factor of preserving and strengthening security in Central Asia and in neighboring regions and have underscored their willingness to continue providing necessary assistance in this," Vladimir Putin and Nursultan Nazarbayev said in a joint statement on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Russia and Kazakhstan.
The parties "spoke in favor of continuing to step up efforts in support of the Afghan national reconciliation process, including within the framework of the Moscow consultation format, and welcomed the growing activities of the SCO-Afghanistan Contact Group," the statement said.
The two leaders also praised the outcomes of international meetings dealing with settlement efforts in Syria within the Astana process, which "have significantly reduced violence in Syrian territory."