British PM to host Afghan-Pakistan co-operation talks

LONDON: British Prime Minister David Cameron will hold key talks with leaders of Afghanistan and Pakistan to discuss the peace process and prevent a Taliban resurgence when foreign troops withdraw from the war-torn country in 2014.

The two-day trilateral summit, the third since last summer, is aimed at improving co-operation between both countries to promote regional stability.

For the first time Afghan and Pakistani Army and intelligence chiefs will also take part in the discussions.

A spokesperson of British Prime Minister David Cameron said today the premier will dine with Afghan President Hamid Karzai and Pakistan's President Asif Ali Zardari, at his country retreat Chequers in Buckinghamshire, southeast, England tonight.

He will then hold a trilateral summit with both leaders and their aides tomorrow, "to discuss the prevention of a Taliban resurgence when foreign troops leave".

NATO troops are scheduled to withdraw from Afghanistan by the end of next year.

"The Prime Minister will host the leaders of Afghanistan and Pakistan at Chequers today and tomorrow as part of his ongoing efforts to help to strengthen Afghanistan-Pakistan relations, support an Afghan peace and reconciliation process and promote regional peace and stability," the spokesperson said.

"For the first time, we will bring together the political and security establishments from both Afghanistan and Pakistan, with foreign ministers, chiefs of army staff, chiefs of intelligence and the chair of the Afghan High Peace Council attending the meeting," he said.

"Discussions are expected to focus on the Afghan-led peace process and how the Pakistanis and international community can support it. We also expect the Afghans and Pakistanis to make further progress on the Strategic Partnership Agreement they committed to in September," he added.

Karzai flew to London yesterday for a three-day trip, during which he would also meet Prince Charles.