PM meets leaders over Taliban risk (From Witney Gazette)

PM meets leaders over Taliban risk

3:11am Sunday 3rd February 2013 in National News © Press Association 2013

David Cameron will meet the Afghan and Pakistani presidents in the latest round of talks aimed at preventing a Taliban resurgence in Afghanistan when British troops leave next year.

The Prime Minister will dine with Hamid Karzai and Asif Ali Zardari at Chequers as part of his ongoing efforts to help to strengthen Afghanistan-Pakistan relations and promote regional peace and stability.

It comes ahead of in-depth discussions focusing on how the Pakistanis and international community can support the Afghan-led peace process.

Foreign ministers, Chiefs of Army Staff, Chiefs of Intelligence and the chairman of the Afghan High Peace Council are expected to attend the third trilateral session since last summer.

A Downing Street spokeswoman said: "As the Prime Minister has set out previously, a stable Afghanistan is not just in the interests of Afghans, but also in the interests of their neighbours and the UK. We share the same vision for Afghanistan: a secure, stable and democratic country that never again becomes a haven for international terror.

"We are working together to achieve it and Afghanistan's neighbours have a vital role to play. It is vital not just for the future security of their citizens, but for their prosperity too."