United Nations

SC/7621
27 December 2002

Pact Aimed at Regional Peace, Stability
Signed by Afghanistan, Six Neighbouring States

NEW YORK, 24 December (UN Headquarters) -- The Security Council, reaffirming it strong commitment to assist the Transitional Administration in Afghanistan, this morning welcomed and endorsed the Kabul Declaration on Good-Neighbourly Relations, signed by the Afghan Government and six neighbouring States on 22 December.

Through the unanimous adoption of resolution 1453 (2002), the Council called on all States to respect the Declaration and to support the implementation of its provisions. The Kabul Declaration (document S/2002/1416) was signed by the neighbouring States of China, Iran, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.

The Declaration expresses the determination that the Afghan people should enjoy security, stability, prosperity, territorial integrity, democracy and human rights after so many years of conflict, suffering and deprivation. The States listed above are also united in their desire for peace and stability in the region.

Sharing also a determination to defeat terrorism, extremism, and narco-trafficking, the signatories: celebrate the first anniversary of the formation of the new Afghan Administration and recognize the significant challenges ahead; and reaffirm their commitment to constructive and supportive bilateral relationships based on the principles of territorial integrity, mutual respect, friendly relations, cooperation and non-interference in each other's internal affairs.

The Declaration also welcomes the combined efforts of the wider international community to provide the support required for rebuilding Afghanistan as it continues to take its rightful place in the community of nations, and expresses the commitment of the signatories to participate in this process.

Starting at 11:41 a.m., the meeting adjourned at 11:46 a.m.

The full text of draft resolution 1453 (2002) reads as follows:

"The Security Council,

"Reaffirming its previous resolutions on Afghanistan,

"Reaffirming also its strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and national unity of Afghanistan, and to peace and stability throughout the region,

"Recognizing the Transitional Administration as the sole legitimate Government of Afghanistan, pending democratic elections in 2004, and reiterating its strong support for the full implementation of the Agreement on Provisional Arrangements in Afghanistan Pending the Re-establishment of Permanent Government Institutions (the Bonn Agreement),

"Reaffirming its strong commitment to assist the Transitional Administration in its efforts to ensure security, prosperity, tolerance and respect for human rights for all people of Afghanistan, and to combat terrorism, extremism and narco-trafficking,

"1. Welcomes and endorses the Kabul Declaration on Good-Neighbourly Relations signed by the Transitional Administration of Afghanistan and the Governments of China, Iran, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, the States neighbouring Afghanistan, in Kabul on 22 December 2002 (S/2002/1416);

"2. Calls on all States to respect the Declaration and to support the implementation of its provisions;

"3. Requests the Secretary-General to report to the Council as appropriate on the implementation of the Declaration, in the context of his regular reporting on Afghanistan, including information provided by the signatories;

"4. Decides to remain seized of the matter."

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