Afghanistan hails NATO steps for restoration of peace

Monitoring Desk

KABUL: The Afghan defence ministry on Thursday said Kabul welcomed every step taken by NATO which could prove vital for restoration of peace and elimination of terrorism from Afghanistan.

The defence ministry statement came at a time when the defence ministers of NATO member countries are meeting in Brussels, capital of Belgium today to discuss the Afghan conflict.

In a video, defence ministry spokesman Ghafoor Ahmad Javed said Afghanistan had strategic partnership with NATO. Kabul welcomed NATO for strengthening of Afghan security and defence forces and war on terrorism in Afghanistan.

The defence ministry statement came at a time when the defence ministers of NATO member countries are meeting in Brussels, capital of Belgium today to discuss the Afghan conflict.

Before the start of the conference, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said the responsibilities of Resolute Support in Afghanistan were on the top priority of NATO. He vowed that NATO would continue support with the Afghan security and defence forces. NATO would pave way for restoration of peace to Afghanistan, he added.

Jens Stoltenberg supported ongoing efforts for Afghan peace and stressed for utilizing political and peaceful solution for the conflict of Afghanistan.

He laid stress on the participation of Afghan government’s representatives in the peace talks.

He went on to say that NATO would not stay forever in Afghanistan.

US special envoy for Afghan peace held several rounds of talks with Taliban representatives. He would once again meet Taliban figures in Doha, capital of Qatar on February 25.

The Taliban announced that their representatives would meet US delegation and Prime Minister of Imran Khan in Islamabad on February 18.

The Taliban stressed on the withdrawal of all foreign forces from Afghanistan in the peace talks. However, the Afghan government is determined on its stance of holding direct talks with Taliban. (AIP)