Istanbul conference on Afghanistan kicks off work

A high-profile meeting on Afghanistan started work in the Turkish city of Istanbul on Wednesday.Iran's Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi along with foreign ministers and senior officials of 17 countries are present in the daylong conference presided by the Turkish and Afghan presidents.Salehi, who arrived at Istanbul International Airport before midday today, is due to address the conference. Upon his arrival in Istanbul, Salehi said that the western countries and the NATO haven't done anything serious as far as establishment of peace and stability in Afghanistan is concerned. Referring to the participation of 17 countries as well as a number of international and Islamic organizations in the Istanbul conference, Salehi stated that the draft statement due to be issued in the conference is a "balanced" document. "We hope that the document would turn into a basis for collective regional action with regard to Afghanistan." He further stressed the necessity of collective security cooperation among the regional states, cautioning that insecurity of any regional country would jeopardize security of the entire region. "All sides should render help to the establishment of peace, stability and security in the region," Salehi told reporters upon arrival at Istanbul airport on Wednesday."The fate of the region and its countries is interwoven," he added.Iran is also due to attend a similar conference on Afghanistan in the German city of Bonn on December 5, which will be held at the request of Afghan President Hamid Karzai. The aim of the confab is to give impetus to political process concerning Afghanistan and cement the international community's long-term commitment beyond 2014.