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The original message of the Bandung conference held 60 years ago that brought together Asian and African leaders in Indonesia on issues of peaceful co-existence, is still imperative for boosting mutual cooperation among the nations and still holds gravitas in today's world, Afghan former minister for information and culture Sayed Makhdom Raheen told Xinhua.
"I believe that co-existence among the nations is the only path leading to prosperity, happiness and the strengthening of relationships between African and Asian countries," Raheen said during an exclusive interview.
He made the remarks in the wake of the latest gathering of Asian and African leaders in Bandung city to commemorate the historic meeting 60 years ago.
On Chinese President Xi Jinping's pledge made at the conference to offer more assistance to developing nations, the former Afghan minister and well-respected analyst said that China has the capacity to help the neighboring states and developing countries.
"The People's Republic of China has been very helpful to different third-world nations and what the President of China mentioned at the conference is based on the tendency of the Chinese government to strengthen cooperation with developing countries," Raheen went on to say.
Afghanistan was also among the nations that first attended the Bandung meeting six decades ago.
On Sino-Afghan relations, Raheen said China has been helping Afghanistan for a long time in different fields. He said he hoped that China and Afghanistan "can work together to further strengthen bilateral ties."
Raheen added that China can help Afghanistan in different fields including security and that lasting peace in Afghanistan would also benefit China.
Allaying concerns for investment sparked by security fears, the former minister said, "I don't see any major obstacles, although we have terrorist problems in parts of the country, generally it is peaceful, for instance Bamyan, Parwan and other provinces are enjoying peace and stability."
However, he added, "We are trying to restore full security in the country."
On the issue of the revitalization of the Silk Road, Raheen said, "It is a huge project that different countries including China, central Asian states, Afghanistan and many more nations will benefit from."
The Afghan expert, however, noted that any country including Afghanistan that benefits from the China-proposed Silk Road Economic Belt should be part of the reconstruction of the ancient road.
