NATO chief urges Taliban to honor commitments for peace

KABUL (Agencies): NATO’s Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that an opportunity has emerged in Afghanistan that can help Afghans achieve lasting peace, and he urged Afghans to seize the opportunity.

“This is an opportunity to open negotiations among Afghans and achieve sustainable peace. In order to take that opportunity, the Taliban must honor their commitments. We need to see reduction in violence and avoid undermining the agreement,” NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg said during a joint press conference with Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic of Croatia.

“We have just discussed the historic opportunity for peace in Afghanistan. And, as you mentioned, I was in Kabul with President Ghani and US Defense Secretary Esper to welcome the signature of the framework agreement. This is an opportunity to open negotiations among Afghans and achieve sustainable peace,” said Stoltenberg.

He said that in order to take that opportunity the Taliban must honor their commitments.

Speaking about the future funding of the Afghan forces, Stoltenberg said: “NATO remains committed to Afghanistan’s security and stability. And we will continue to support the Afghan security forces with funding and with training.” He also welcomed Croatia’s commitment and contributions to Afghanistan’s Resolute Support Mission.

Meanwhile, Croatian prime minister Andrej Plenkovic responding to a question regarding the gradual withdrawal of US and NATO forces from Afghanistan, said: “We want that the purpose of the mission of Resolute Support and the presence of international troops there, we want this to be efficient. This is the main reason, the main goal. We must not forget why we are as Allies present in Afghanistan now and why we have been there for many years.”

“The message is that if we say that there is going to be an overnight withdrawn, this is not going to strengthen our negotiating position. We have to have it in mind in political and the strategic terms,” added the Croatian Prime Minister.

Stoltenberg said: “Peace in Afghanistan cannot be created in Brussels or Washington or Zagreb, it has to be created by the Afghans themselves. We will only reduce our presence if Taliban adhere to or respect the agreement they have signed. Therefore it is a condition-based reduction that will take place if we see that the conditions are met.”