Taliban must End Violence: NATO

NATO welcomed recent developments in the peace process, saying that violence must end and the parties should reach an agreement on a permanent and comprehensive ceasefire.
“We urge the parties to build on this momentum by agreeing to immediately end violence and by negotiating toward a permanent and comprehensive ceasefire and a political roadmap for a prosperous Afghanistan, at peace with itself and its neighbours,” NATO said in a statement on Wednesday. It welcomed the recent agreement between the negotiating teams of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and the Taliban on the rules and procedures for Afghanistan peace negotiations and the first meeting of the leadership committee of the high council for national reconciliation.

After four decades of conflict and suffering, a negotiated political settlement offers the only hope for a lasting peace, said the statement. Stressing that “violence, especially driven by Taliban attacks, continues to undermine the peace process and must end”.

NATO expects negotiations to lead to an enduring and comprehensive Afghan peace agreement that puts an end to violence.
On the presence of foreign forces in Afghanistan, the statement said that NATO will continue to consult on their military presence in Afghanistan.