KABUL (SW) – The NATO Senior Civilian Representative to Afghanistan, Sir Nicholas Kay, has expressed hope intra-Afghan talks will soon take place for peace.
He said this responding to a question by Salam Watandar during a live twitter session on Sunday evening. “Continued interest to talk from both sides is positive in itself. And we hope intra-Afghan talks will soon take place. Inclusive intra-Afghan dialogue is essential for lasting peace. A political solution is not possible without talks”, he tweeted.
He said over past 18 years, Afghanistan has made many gains in human rights and other democratic gains. He added NATO allies and partners are striving to preserve these achievements, which are important for sustainable peace. “Peace doesn’t happen overnight. It's a process that will require intra-Afghan talks and a multitude of voices to be heard. Troop levels depend on the outcome of negotiations and were extremely focused on creating the conditions for peace”.
The NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg announced on 5 December 2018 that he has appointed Sir Nicholas Kay of the United Kingdom as the next NATO Senior Civilian Representative in Afghanistan.
Sir Nicholas Kay has served as UK Ambassador to Afghanistan, and has also worked as UK Regional Coordinator for Southern Afghanistan in Helmand in 2006–2007 and as Head of the Pakistan and Afghanistan Section in the South Asian Department of the UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office in 1995–1997.
Sir Nicholas Kay replaced Ambassador Cornelius Zimmermann of Germany, who has been in the post since March 2017.
The Senior Civilian Representative carries forward the Alliance's political-military objectives in Afghanistan, representing the political leadership of the Alliance in Kabul officially and publicly. The role involves liaising with the Afghan government, civil society, representatives of the international community, and neighboring countries.
Working closely with the Resolute Support Mission, the Senior Civilian Representative provides a direct channel of communication with NATO Headquarters in Brussels.
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