Progress in Doha peace talks widely welcomed

KABUL (Pajhwok): The Afghan government, NATO, UN, EU, Qatar and Pakistan have welcomed a preliminary agreement reached between Kabul and Taliban negotiators in Doha.

The Presidential Palace said President Ghani hailed the finalisation of rules and procedures for the peace talks.

“It’s a step forward towards the beginning of the negotiations on the main issues, including a comprehensive ceasefire as the key demand of the Afghan people for lasting peace.”

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said: “This is one step towards a lasting, political, peaceful resolution of the conflict in Afghanistan. And all NATO allies strongly support the peace process.”

He added: “And now we would like to see more progress and we need to see rapid progress, both on establishing a political roadmap, but not least on the important issue of a comprehensive ceasefire.”

UN’s Special Representative for Afghanistan Deborah Lyons also welcomed the progress achieved by both negotiating teams.

She said: “Moving on to the agenda is a positive development. This breakthrough should be a springboard to reach the peace wanted by all Afghans.”

The EU said: “We reiterated our #Afghanistan2020-consensus on conditionality: peace, governance, anti-corruption and underscored the need to continue channeling large parts of our development assistance through.”

NATO Senior Civilian Representative tweeted: “’I welcome the steps forward taken on the #AfghanistanPeaceProcess – which #NATO strongly supports. Thanks to the efforts of dedicated Afghans working towards a peaceful & secure future for the people of #Afghanistan.”

The government of Qatar, hailing the agreement reached between the Afghan negotiators, said it constituted a milestone in the peace talks that began on Sep 12.

In Doha, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement the significant progress showed the Afghan parties were serious and able to overcome differences and address difficult issues.

Pakistan, too, welcomed the announcement of the agreement reached on rules and procedures by the Afghan parties in Doha as another significant step forward.

The agreement reflected the common resolve of the parties to secure a negotiated settlement. “It is an important development contributing towards a successful outcome of the negotiations, which we all hope for.”

Pakistan promised to continue supporting intra-Afghan talks, culminating in an inclusive, broad-based and comprehensive political solution paving the way for a peaceful, stable and prosperous Afghanistan.

sa/mud

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