A/RES/66/13
acknowledging the huge burden they have so far shouldered in this regard, and asks
for continued generous support by the international community, with a view to
facilitating their voluntary, safe, dignified and sustainable return, rehabilitation and
reintegration;
77. Reiterates to host countries and the international community the
obligations under international refugee law with respect to the protection of
refugees, the principle of voluntary return and the right to seek asylum and to ensure
full, safe and unhindered access for humanitarian relief agencies in order to provide
protection and assistance to the refugees, and calls upon countries to continue to
accept an appropriate number of Afghan refugees for resettlement, as a
manifestation of their shared responsibility and solidarity;
78. Welcomes the continued return of Afghan refugees and internally
displaced persons, in a voluntary, safe, dignified and sustainable manner, while
noting with concern that conditions in parts of Afghanistan are not yet conducive to
a safe and sustainable return to some places of origin;
79. Urges the Government of Afghanistan, acting with the support of the
international community, to continue to strengthen its efforts to create the conditions
for sustainable return by continuing to strengthen its absorption capacity for the full
rehabilitation and reintegration of the remaining Afghan refugees and internally
displaced persons;
80. Notes, in this regard, the continued constructive work between the
countries of the region, as well as the tripartite agreements between the Office of the
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the Government of Afghanistan
and the Governments of countries hosting refugees from Afghanistan, in particular
Pakistan and the Islamic Republic of Iran;
Regional cooperation
81. Stresses the crucial role of advancing constructive regional cooperation
in promoting peace, security, stability and economic and social development in
Afghanistan, encourages further improved relations and enhanced engagement
between Afghanistan and its neighbours, and calls for further efforts in this regard,
including by regional organizations;
82. Commends the continuing efforts of the signatories of the Kabul
Declaration on Good-neighbourly Relations of 22 December 2002 12 to implement
their commitments under the Declaration, calls upon all other States to respect and
support the implementation of those provisions, and welcomes the reaffirmation, in
the Kabul Conference communiqué, of the principles set out in the Declaration;
83. Welcomes and encourages further efforts by the Government of
Afghanistan and its neighbouring partners to foster trust and cooperation with each
other, and looks forward, where appropriate, to increasing cooperation between
Afghanistan, all its neighbouring and regional partners and regional organizations
against the Taliban, Al-Qaida and other extremist and criminal groups and in
promoting peace and prosperity in Afghanistan, in the region and beyond;
84. Welcomes, in this regard, the increased efforts by the Government of
Afghanistan, its neighbouring and regional partners and international organizations
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12
S/2002/1416, annex.
15