DUSHANBE, June 14, 2012, Asia-Plus — Afghanistan Thursday hosts the latest round of international talks on its future after NATO troops leave in 2014, with the conflict in Syria also likely to feature prominently in ministerial meetings, AFP reports.
Representatives from 29 countries have gathered in Kabul for the one-day conference, which follows a meeting in Istanbul in November aimed at mapping out the future of the war-torn country after the withdrawal of coalition troops.
Besides foreign ministers, the conference has also brought together representatives from international organisations including NATO, the European Union and the United Nations.
Regional strategies to combat terrorism and drug trafficking, tackle natural disasters and strengthen trade and economic relations are on the agenda.
Afghanistan is also likely to raise pressure on Pakistan over militant safe havens in its territory.
Afghan President Hamid Karzai says peace depends on regional cooperation to smash sanctuaries for militant networks waging violence in his country, and has voiced hope that Pakistan can help in this process.
In April, militants staged a spectacular coordinated attack in Kabul which Washington blamed on the Pakistan-based Haqqani network.
