BRUSSELS (SW): The NATO Secretary General, Jens Stoltenberg, has said a clear message to the Taliban that they cannot win on the battlefield would push them to engage with the peace process in Afghanistan.
Addressing a press conference after the foreign ministers’ meeting in Brussels, he said it is obvious if the Taliban believed that it is possible to win on the battlefield they would be less inclined to sit down at the negotiation table. “So, therefore there is a close link between NATO’s message on support for Afghan National Security Forces and Army and the possibility for President Ghani to invite the Taliban to peace talks”.
He said NATO has made it clear it has condition-based presence in Afghanistan to train and enable the Afghan forces to be in-charge for security in the country.
The NATO Secretary General said the foreign ministers had strategic discussion on Afghanistan including the Afghan peace process, progress on the country’s reform agenda, and the regional context. “Last weekend’s horrendous attack at a voter registration center in Kabul was a stark reminder of the security challenges that Afghanistan still faces”.
He said the NATO welcomed President Ghani’s unprecedented offer of peace talks to the Taliban. “Despite the fact that they (Taliban) have not yet taken up the President’s offer, we urge the Taliban to take part in an Afghan-owned and Afghan-led peace process”.
About the regional players, he said Pakistan’s role will be essential. “We encourage Pakistan to take additional steps. To close all terrorist sanctuaries and prevent terrorist financial flows and cross-border attacks”.
In this regard, the NATO SG also highlighted the role of Moscow and Tehran. “We also encourage Iran and Russia to contribute to regional stability”.
The Secretary General also welcomed the announcement of parliamentary elections that will take place in October. “And, we encourage Afghanistan to continue on the path to reform, including the promotion of human rights, good governance, and fighting corruption”.
He added currently some 16,000 NATO troops are stationed in Afghanistan, and the alliance expects more troops from member countries for the Afghan mission.
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