Violence spikes with start of intra-Afghan talks: Atmar

KABUL (Pajhwok): Foreign Minister Mohammad Hanif Atmar on Monday said Afghanistan freed thousands of Taliban prisoners without any agreement, but violence intensified instead of reducing.

He said this while addressing the two-day Geneva conference on Afghanistan which kicked off today.

Atmar said violence in Afghanistan increased while it had to be reduced with the beginning of intra-Afghan peace negotiations.

“Terrorism is a common threat for Afghanistan and the world and Afghanistan is committed to putting an end to four-decades of conflict by embracing peace which is also in the interest of regional countries”, he said.

First lady, Rula Ghani who attended the conference, also stressed on reduction of violence in the country.

She said the gains made the Afghan women over the past years should be protected in peace talks and they should also have an active role in the negotiations.

“A peace which does not protect the rights of women would not be a stable peace,” she said.

Mohammad Masum Stanikzai, Afghan chief negotiator for intra-Afghan talks, speaking to the conference also said that violence in the country was still high despite the release of Taliban prisoners.

He said the conflict by Taliban had intensified in a number of provinces including Helmand where a number of people were displaced.

Stanikzai said the ongoing talks with the Taliban faced many problems but hoped there were ways for ensuring peace in Afghanistan.

State Minister in Peace Affairs, Sayed Mansoor Naderi, in the conference said that Afghanistan needed international community’s support in protection of past achievements in the peace process. He said that Afghans supported a peace which could put a real end to the war.

The Geneva Conference on Afghanistan is taking place virtually due to threats of Covid-19. Ministers and representatives from around 70 countries and international organizations are attending the conference.

Mds/ma

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