Khalilzad briefed on role of youth in peace process

KABUL (Pajhwok): US special representative for Afghanistan peace Zalmay Khalilzad held a video call meeting with members of Youth Contact Group and discussed youth active role in peace process, a statement said on Saturday.

The meeting in Kabul discussed activities and operations of the Youth Contact Group for peace and status of the youth provincial peace Jirgas, youth meaningful representation in Intra – Afghan Negotiations and political agreements and agreements obtained after peace.

The Contact Group also discussed   Status of basic freedoms and rights of women’s and their representation in current peace process, responsible withdrawal of foreign troops, maintaining friendly relations with the international community, maintaining democratic values, and elections for achieving political power.

They underlined inviting an all-inclusive “Loya Jirga” to legitimize agreements in the peace process, keep Afghan National Defense and Security Forces, and to avoid state from being collapsed.

In this meeting, leadership of the Youth Contact Group for Peace shared demands (these demands have been gathered from youth who participated in 29 provincial peace Jirgas across Afghanistan) of the Afghan Youth in the peace process with Dr. ZalmaiKhalilzad.

Youth Contact Group for Peace shared its concerns about the absence of a meaningful participation of youth in the peace process and emphasized a real and independent youth representation so that their voices are being heard.

Dr. ZalmaiKhalilzad appreciated Youth Contact Group for Peace for its initiatives and announced his preparation to conduct meeting with youths, which will be arranged by Youth Contact Group for Peace in the future, the two sides also agreed to establish a joint mechanism to ensure a meaningful and independent youth representation in peace talks.

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