Peace process needs real commitment from all sides: Tannin

WASHINGTON (Pajhwok): In an apparent reference to the flip-flop from elements across the border, Afghanistan on Thursday told the powerful UN Security Council the peace process needed a responsible attitude from all sides, mutual determination and real commitment.

“The government of Afghanistan believes that despite some of the apparent setbacks in the process of peace talks, following the declaration of the death of Taliban Omar, and the benighted leadership changes in its ranks, we are hopeful the prospect of a political settlement will not be withered," a top diplomat said.

However, concrete progress toward reconciliation required responsible attitude by all sides, mutual determination and real commitment, stressed Afghan Ambassador to the UN Zahir Tanin.

Addressing a special meeting of the UN Security Council on Afghanistan, Tanin said his government had reached out with the message of peace and reconciliation not only to the Afghan Taliban, those who were willing to stop fighting and join the peace process, but also to neighbouring countries.

One of the first steps taken by President Ashraf Ghani was to embark on a process of ending the undeclared state of war between Afghanistan and Pakistan and start a new era of peace and cooperation, he said.

The process has been largely supported by the Afghan people and the first rounds of peace talks with the Taliban led to a surge of optimism about the prospects of peace and end of violence, he added.

Special Representative of Secretary-General and United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) head Nicholas Haysom told the 15-member body that “Afghanistan’s path to stability and self-reliance could not be taken for granted.

The refugee exodus reflected the despondency of many Afghans, Haysom said, emphasising the need for a clear signal of international support to mitigate it.

Tani said the stability of Afghanistan was essential for the security of the wider region. Integrating Afghanistan as an economic hub focused on transit, transportation and trade was imperative to achieve economic self-sufficiency and shared prosperity, the ambassador concluded.

lkj/mud