Merkel underlines truce in Afghanistan

KABUL (Pajhwok): The German chancellor has slammed the killing of Afghan civilians as unacceptable, calling for an immediate end to violence in the country. Angela Merkel, in a video conference with President Ashraf Ghani, voiced her deep concern at the rising levels of violence in Afghanistan.

Harming the Afghans was unacceptable as war and peace negotiations continued simultaneously, she commented. The Presidential Palace tweeted that Merkel underlined the need for a ceasefire between the Afghan government and the Taliban. Ghani and Merkel, who exchanged views in regional issues and the Afghan peace process, agreed on expanding relations between the two countries,.

Germany supported an independent and prosperous Afghanistan dominated by a democratic system, Merkel said, adding Kabul’s efforts should lead to peace and stability. The chancellor reiterated her commitment to continue providing assistance to Afghanistan. Referring to a Siemens memorandum of understanding with Afghanistan, she said it had paved the way for other German firms to invest in the country. An upcoming meeting of NATO defense ministers, scheduled for February; its importance for Afghanistan and impact on peace talks also came up for discussion.

The two sides also conferred on the the message that the conference would continue to support Afghanistan, especially its security forces. Ghani thanked Germany for its cooperation with Afghanistan, which would utilise all resources available to expand trade links between the two nations. Ghani told Merkel his administration was mulling over the creation of an air corridor between the two countries so that Afghan products found their way to German markets.