On Friday, the German Foreign Office released a statement expressing the genuine desire of the Afghan and the international community for peace and stability in the region. The German envoys acknowledged that the citizens of Afghanistan longed for an end of the two-decade war. The statement further added that this is only possible through an inclusive and a negotiated intra-Afghan settlement.
International Support Needed for the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces
Special International envoys and representatives of; the European Union, France, Germany, Italy, NATO, Norway, the United Kingdom, and the United States, emphasized the need for continued international support. They mutually acknowledged that the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces required international support. The envoys emphasized the importance of speeding up the pace of the Afghan-led and Afghan-owned Peace Process. The participants urged the Taliban to call off their unannounced spring of offenses. They further asked the Taliban to refrain from attacking civilians and immediately cease all attacks. Any attacks near hospitals, schools, universities, mosques, and other civilian areas would not be appreciated.
Elimination of Violent Activities
The international envoys demanded that all parties take immediate and necessary steps to reduce all sorts of violence. Moreover, they also demanded to establish an atmosphere conducive to a political settlement. The representatives reaffirmed their support for the UN Security Council Resolution 2513 (2020). They stated that any government established in Afghanistan by force would pose a threat to regional stability.
Furthermore, they stated that the Taliban must not use the excuse of the troop withdrawal as a means to halt the Peace Process. Therefore they must take part in the political talks that take place.
Uphold the Counter-Terrorism Commitments
The international envoys have reiterated their commitment to mobilize global support for state reconstruction following the Peace Agreement. Essentially, the Peace Agreement must protect the rights of all Afghans, including women, youth, and minorities. Therefore, the Taliban and the Islamic Republic’s government must uphold their counter-terrorism commitments. In particular, their commitments include; not allowing al-Qaida, Daesh, or other terrorist groups and individuals to use Afghan soil for violent activities. The groups can not violate or harm the security of any other country. The two stakeholders can not host the members of these groups, and can not recruit, train, or fund them.
International Humanitarian Aid and Assistance
Moreover, the international representatives urged the Taliban to make it easier for humanitarian aid to be delivered to Afghanistan under their effective control. In such cases, the Taliban was asked to not place any preconditions as it will be in compliance with International Humanitarian Law.
Subsequently, they reaffirmed that the current and potential assistance to any Afghan government is contingent on adherence to the principles outlined in the Afghanistan Partnership Framework. Similarly, the Afghanistan National Peace and Development Framework II and its progressive outcome is also another factor on which this depends on.
Support from the Regional States
Lastly, the envoys encouraged all concerned countries, particularly Afghanistan’s neighbours and those present in the region. They asked the regional countries to continue to help the Afghan people and constructively contribute to a permanent peace settlement. A settlement that can achieve sustainable economic growth, that is in the interest of all.
