10 July 2014, Beijing

The Senior Officials meeting of the Heart of Asia- Istanbul Process stresses the importance of successfully concluding the presidential elections, in which millions of Afghans took part all over the country. We also commend the excellent performance of the Afghan National Security Forces and other Afghan institutions for maintaining security and providing the opportunity to the Afghan people to exercise their democratic rights.

Since security and stability of Afghanistan is crucial for regional security and stability, we call on the relevant parties to conclude the electoral process in a timely manner and in accordance with the established constitutional mechanisms and legal frameworks. We are confident that the candidates will be able to resolve their current differences through political dialogue and in the interest of unity and stability of Afghanistan. We hope that the transition of power in Afghanistan will be successfully concluded on 2nd August 2014 so that Afghanistan can redirect focus on other important aspects of its development, including enhanced regional cooperation.

The Heart of Asia countries continue to stand by the Afghan people and support a united, peaceful, sovereign and prosperous Afghanistan that would continue to play a crucial role in regional security and prosperity.