KABUL (SW) – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Afghanistan has welcomed the statement issued by the Heads of Mission of the European Union and Canada in Kabul on the imminent peace talks between the government and the Taliban.
In a statement, the MOFA said it identifies the historic opportunity that these talks represent. It added the government is fully intending to seize the opportunity to end the conflict through negotiations.
“Furthermore, the Afghan government is entering these talks with a spirit of goodwill and constructive intent, as evident in the release of the Taliban prisoners, which the statement recognizes as a goodwill gesture to build confidence that goes beyond the Afghan government’s obligations”, it said.
Earlier, The EU Head of Mission in Kabul and the Ambassador of Canada said the upcoming Intra-Afghan talks must preserve the “democratic and human rights” of people in the country.
In a joint statement on Sunday, both representatives said achievements of the past two decades are “human rights, rule of law and democratic freedoms, including the increased respect for the rights and freedoms of women and girls” that should be considered during the peace negotiations.
“We especially urge for the full participation of women in all aspects of the negotiations,” the statement said.
In response to this, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Afghanistan urged the Taliban to reciprocate by agreeing on a ceasefire and agree to an immediate reduction of violence. “Afghanistan would like to thank the EU and other friendly nations for their unwavering support to the peace process in Afghanistan”, the statement added.
ENDS
