High Peace Council

Joint Secretariat

Date: October 3, 2011
S/No: 22

International Community (press release)
Representatives from the International Community met with Afghan Government officials and reaffirmed their commitment to the Afghan peace process, following the assassination of Professor Burhanuddin Rabbani. 
The group expressed the support for Afghan Government efforts to bring peace to Afghanistan, while also reaffirming their high regard for the leadership shown by President Karzai during this difficult period. The meeting concluded with participants stressing that the tragic assassination of Professor Rabbani should reinforce unity and consolidation of support behind the peace process, and all representatives of donor governments and stakeholders emphasized in the strongest terms their support for the continuation of APRP.
“This deadly attack shows that the peace process is on the right track and making a critical impact. We are determined to redouble our efforts and are grateful for the continued support of the international community,” said APRP Joint Secretariat Deputy Minister Farhadullah Farhad, who co-chaired the meeting alongside United Nations Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary General (DSRSG) for Afghanistan, Martin Kobler.
Participants observed a one minute silence at the start of the meeting to pay their respects to Professor Rabbani and his remarkable efforts to achieve peace in Afghanistan, and also expressed condolences to his family, as well as to the other victims of the 20 September attack, who included Minister Stanekzai, the Head of the APRP Joint Secretariat.
The meeting included officials from the Joint Secretariat and representatives from the Governments of Australia, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, the UK, the U.S., the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).