KABUL (SW) – The Afghan government has welcomed the final declaration of the Moscow meeting, calling it a step towards serious negotiations to achieve a peace based on the will of the people.
It said in a statement that Afghanistan welcomes the declaration’s emphasis on the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2513, and consider it important to implement this resolution in order to hold the Taliban accountable and fulfill its obligations, including ending violence and organized killings and severing ties with terrorist organizations.
“We support the declaration’s emphasis on a political solution that protects the rights of its citizens, and affirm that the preservation of political, economic and cultural achievements, including the human rights of citizens and democratic structures, is the most important precondition for a just and lasting peace in the country”, said the foreign ministry.
The Afghan government explicitly welcomed the clear declaration that said: “We do not support the revival of the Islamic Emirate (Taliban regime)” and emphasized the principle that the Islamic Republic is the only inclusive and acceptable structure for political participation, pluralism, equality of citizens and the maintenance of order.
A day earlier, Russia, the US, China, and Pakistan — the expanded troika on the Afghan settlement — called on the Taliban to abandon plans on the Spring offensive following the Moscow meeting on Afghanistan on Thursday. In a joint statement, approved by the meeting participants, the expanded “troika” urged all parties “to reduce the level of violence”, and on the Taliban – not to pursue a Spring offensive.
According to the statement, Russia, the US, China, and Pakistan agreed to “acknowledge the widespread and sincere demand of the Afghan people for an end to the war and a lasting and just peace”, which can only be achieved through a negotiated political settlement.
ENDS
