Sharif meets Biden, Ghani, discusses peace in Afghanistan

DAVOS: Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif here Thursday held a trilateral meeting with US Vice President, Joe Biden and Afghan President, Ashraf Ghani and discussed efforts for peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan.

The meeting on the sidelines of the 46th World Economic Forum reviewed the progress made so far and pondered on the way forward.

US Secretary of State, John Kerry, Finance Minister, Ishaq Dar and Special Assistant to Prime Minister, Tariq Fatemi attended the meeting.

An official statement issued at the end of the meeting, said talks were held in a warm and cordial atmosphere saying: “The participants reviewed the peace and reconciliation process in Afghanistan that is being pursued on the establishment of the quadrilateral mechanism that resulted from the Heart of Asia Istanbul Process.

The leaders expressed satisfaction at the two meetings of the quadrilateral consultative groups held in Kabul and Islamabad.

They agreed to focus on the goal of ensuring peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan which was both in the interest of Afghanistan and the region, the statement said.

Vice President Biden and President Ashraf Ghani condemned the Charsada terror attack and conveyed their grief over the loss of precious lives.

Both the leaders appreciated the resolve of Pakistani nation in its war against terrorism and extremism.

Biden s meeting with Sharif and Ghani at Davos was held to help the two neighbours co operate and co ordinate on counter terrorism measures and kick start the reconciliation process with the Taliban the White House said in an earlier statement.