US backs more Kabul-Islamabad talks

WASHINGTON (PAN): The United States on Wednesday welcomed the latest talks between President Hamid Karzai and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, calling for increased bilateral dialogue between the neighbours.

“We welcome any opportunity for increased bilateral dialogue between Afghanistan,” the State Department spokesperson, Marie Harf, told reporters at her daily news conference.

Responding to questions, she said negotiations on the Bilateral Security Agreement between Afghanistan and the US had not resumed but the embassies of the two countries had been informally talking to each other.

On the eve of his visit to Islamabad, Karzai told a news briefing in Kabul that his administration was in no hurry to conclude the deal. However, he did drop a broad hint at early the resumption of talks on the subject.

Harf said peace efforts in Afghanistan would have implications on security in Pakistan. “We said Pakistan’s own security and stability is tied to a successful outcome in Afghanistan. And we’ve been appreciative of Pakistan’s efforts to further reconciliation. Clearly, there’s an ongoing process here.”

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