US Assistant Secretary of State Julieta Valls Noyes has expressed her country’s desire to continue working with Pakistan to process Afghan nationals eligible for relocation or resettlement in the United States, a statement said.

Noyes visited Pakistan from December 4 to 6 to reaffirm the United States’ commitment to the protection, efficient resettlement, and relocation of eligible Afghan refugees to the United States, the US State Department added.

During the visit, she met senior Pakistani government officials where they discussed how both countries can work together to accelerate the processing of Afghan nationals’ relocation or resettlement in the US.

Noyes encouraged upholding international humanitarian principles, including non-refoulement, and protecting vulnerable refugees and asylum seekers.

Assistant Secretary Noyes appreciated the opportunity to meet international partners, including UNHCR and the International Organisation for Migration, the International Committee of the Red Cross, and like-minded diplomatic partners to thank them for their intensive efforts to support and protect Afghan refugees.

She also met and heard concerns directly from Afghan refugees on the most important issues they faced.