国际英语新闻:U.S. commander discusses Afghan peace with Pakistan army chief

ISLAMABAD, Dec. 27 (Xinhua) -- Commander of NATO's Resolute Support Mission and U.S. Forces in Afghanistan Gen. Austin Scott Miller met with Pakistan army chief Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa Thursday at the army headquarters in Rawalpindi and discussed Afghan reconciliation, Pakistani military said.

Issues of mutual interest with particular reference to regional security and ongoing Afghan reconciliation process were discussed during the meeting, according to a statement from the army's media wing Inter-Services Public Relations.

The army said the U.S. commander and the Pakistan army chief expressed unanimity of views on importance of political resolution of Afghan situation and underlined that only an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned inclusive process can lead to peace in Afghanistan.

"They also reaffirmed the need for continuing harmonized efforts against terrorists and for effective border management," the statement said.

Bajwa said Pakistan is committed to efforts for peace in Afghanistan as it is important for peace in Pakistan.

Meanwhile Pakistani officials said Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi planned to visit Qatar and Turkey as part of his shuttle diplomacy for promoting peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan.

"Strengthening regional consensus on Afghanistan that is the key for medium to long-term sustainability of an Afghan-owned Afghan-led solution," a Foreign Ministry official told Xinhua on Thursday.

He said the top diplomat will explore possibilities of a win-win framework for regional connectivity and economic integration to help achieve the ultimate objective of economic growth and prosperity in the region.