New Delhi (NVI): US Peace envoy for Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad, in a tweet last night said that a statement issued by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on Afghan peace negotiations has underscored the international commitment to the country’s “sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and national unity.”
“The UNSC statement supports the path the parties are currently on, which is to find a political settlement that accommodates all Afghans, one the region and international community can endorse in spirit and in action,” Khalilzad said in a tweet.
1/3 The UNSC issued a statement on Afghanistan Peace Negotiations that underscores international commitment to Afghanistan’s “sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity & national unity.” /https://t.co/pd9iO9P7uP
— U.S. Special Representative Zalmay Khalilzad (@US4AfghanPeace) September 19, 2020
“This is a unique moment for Afghanistan. Not only are Afghan parties negotiating directly, but as indicated by the UNSC statement, there is broad international support for a negotiated political settlement and peace in Afghanistan. This unique opportunity must be seized,” he added.
The crucial Afghan peace talks are currently underway in Doha under the US watch, with the Taliban and the Afghanistan government negotiating with each other on power-sharing and steps to be taken towards the country’s future and end years-long war.
The UNSC, in a statement that was released on Friday, has welcomed the start of the Afghanistan peace negotiations in Doha, Qatar, reports TOLO news.
As per the statement, the members of the UNSC also recognized that “a sustainable peace can be achieved only through a comprehensive and inclusive Afghan-led, Afghan-owned peace process that aims at a permanent and comprehensive ceasefire, as well as an inclusive political settlement to end the conflict in Afghanistan.”
The members of the Security Council also reaffirmed the importance of the United Nations role in promoting peace and stability in Afghanistan and welcomed the efforts of all regional and international partners of Afghanistan in facilitating intra-Afghan negotiations and in helping the parties reach peace. The members of the Security Council thanked the Government of Qatar for facilitating the first round of negotiations.
They emphasized the importance of the implementation of its relevant resolutions, including resolution 2513 (2020).
Meanwhile, a joint meeting between the negotiating teams of the Afghanistan government and the Taliban is expected on Saturday evening in Doha to resolve disputed points regarding rules and regulations of the peace talks, reports TOLO news.
