KABUL – President Ashraf Ghani has said countries supporting terrorism should understand they are heading to isolation.
Addressing the 12th Silk Road Mayors Forum in Kabul, the president said mayors from countries on the ancient Silk Road to Kabul had brought along a message of peace and stability and their arrival strengthened the hope of Afghans for a better future.
The forum brings together mayors, diplomats, and representatives from the countries on the Silk Road and major aid agencies to discuss issues of mutual interest, including financial, diplomatic, and cultural affairs.
The meeting allows them an opportunity to exchange views and lessons to be learned from their relevant experience in municipal management, city planning, and opening their cities and countries to broader tourism and business opportunities.
Speaking at the forum’s inauguration, Ghani said the revival of the Silk Road and the Lapis Lazuli route would mobilize development among regional countries and Afghanistan, which had never been in isolation, would remain in contact with the world.
About urban planning, the president said such plans should be alerted keeping in view available resources and conditions and the motive should be service to the people.
He said urban plans should benefit equally men, women, children and the disabled and vision of citizens should be incorporated in urban development.
Ghani said the creation of mayor’s forum was a basic need of regional countries and urged the creation of such forum of local mayors in order to share experiences.
He hoped participants of the Silk Road Mayors Forum would present short, mid and long term plans at the end of the gathering.
The president praised the valor and heroism of the Afghan forces in fighting against terrorist groups, which he said had no place in Afghanistan and would be destroyed.
He said country which saw their existence in continuation of their support to terrorists should understand they were being isolated.
Ghani said no power on the earth could defeat the Afghan nation or harm the Afghanistan hope and its national unity. “We want a lasting and dignified peace, we want Asia and the entire world to live in peace,” he said. (Pajhwok)