KABUL (SW) – Federica Mogherini, the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, on Tuesday expressed support for Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process.
She met Afghan President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani at the Arg (presidential palace) after landing in Kabul in the morning. Addressing joint presser, Mogherini announced the EU is ready to serve as guarantor of the peace deal in the war-ravaged country. She stressed the Constitutional framework must be upheld to achieve sustainable peace. She also highlighted the importance of the U.S, Russia, China, Iran and Central Asian countries in this regard.
The EU Foreign Policy chief said peace in Afghanistan is essential for regional peace. She added it is pivotal the peace process has international backing so that future differences are avoided and sustainability is ensured. Mogherini stressed it is important direct talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban take place and a comprehensive dialogue is commenced in the country.
The senior EU official also underlined importance of reforms in the security sector and holding elections in Afghanistan.
Speaking on the occasion, President Ghani said Afghanistan is situated in the heart of Asia, and instability in Afghanistan would have impacts on the whole region. He added stability cannot be brought with intimidations or with force and guns that would only start a new era of instability.
Earlier, Mogherini met CEO Abdullah Abdullah in Kabul. She expressed support for Afghan-owned and Afghan-led peace process, and stressed peace does not mean compromising developments of the pas years. In this meeting, Abdullah linked the success of peace process to intra-Afghan dialogue and serious cooperation of Pakistan in bringing the Taliban to the negotiation table.
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