BRUSSELS – NATO allies wrapped up the two-day Heads of State and Governmentsummit in Brussels and issued a declaration pledging to continue support toAfghanistan in its quest for peace.
The final meeting of the summit was on Afghanistan.
In a joint statement on the declaration, NATO allies also pledged tocontinue funding Afghan forces through 2024.
“We, the Heads of State and Government of the nations contributing to theResolute Support Mission, and the President of the Government of theIslamic Republic of Afghanistan, met today in Brussels to reaffirm ourshared commitment to Afghanistan’s long-term security and stability. Thepeople of Afghanistan demand peace and we are encouraged by the momentumbuilding in that direction. We remain united in our commitment to helpAfghanistan attain it,” the declaration read.
NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg also said the alliance is committed tosustaining its presence in Afghanistan until the conditions change on theground.[image: NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg also said the alliance is committed tosustaining its presence in Afghanistan until the conditions change on theground. ]
“ Today, we also decided to sustain our presence in Afghanistan untilconditions indicate a change is appropriate. And we extended our financingfor Afghan security forces through 2024. This will help them furtherdevelop their Special Forces and Air Force, as they continue to fightinternational terrorism,” he said.
The NATO chief also expressed his support to Ghani’s efforts for peace andnational reconciliation in the country.
“We also expressed strong support for President Ghani’s bold peace proposaland our continued commitment will strengthen Afghanistan in its efforts tocreate conditions for lasting peace and reconciliation,” added Stoltenberg.
On the resilience of Afghan people for peace the declaration meanwhilesaid: “We pay tribute to the sacrifice and resilience of the Afghan peoplewho have wanted peace for many years, and to the men and women serving inthe Afghan National Defence and Security Forces and in the Resolute SupportMission. We honor all those who have lost their lives or have been woundedin support of a better future for Afghanistan that is free from terrorism.”
On the issue of Taliban’s insistence in prolonging the war the declarationstated: “Effective, professional, and self-sustaining Afghan forces will bebetter able to provide security for the country, create the conditions fora negotiated resolution of the conflict through an Afghan-led andAfghan-owned peace process, and demonstrate to the Taliban that it cannotprevail through force.”
At the same time NATO believes that a political solution to the conflictwith the Taliban, based on national consensus, will be essential in orderto achieve sustainable stability and security.[image: At the same time NATO believes that a political solution to theconflict with the Taliban, based on national consensus, will be essentialin order to achieve sustainable stability and security. ]
The alliance also said that it strongly supports the Afghan government’sunprecedented offer of unconditional peace talks with the Taliban.
NATO said that the rejection of a ceasefire by the Taliban leadership willonly harm innocent Afghan citizens.
“NATO Allies and Operational Partners welcome the Afghan government’sunprecedented offer of unconditional peace talks to the Taliban. We notethat the Taliban participated in the Eid-al-Fitr ceasefire. Theirleadership’s rejection of the extension proposed by the Afghan governmentwill only result in harm to innocent Afghan citizens,” the declarationstated.
NATO reiterated calls to the Taliban to engage credibly in the Afghan-ledand Afghan-owned peace process and stressed that this is the only path to asustainable resolution of the conflict.
“NATO Allies and Operational Partners will respect and support a negotiatedand durable political settlement led by Afghans which ends violence, cutsties to terrorism and protects the human rights of all Afghan citizens,notably those of women and children,” the declaration stated.
NATO said that the alliance and its allies strongly support the Afghangovernment’s determination to eliminate the threat of terrorism in all itsforms, including that posed by Daesh affiliates and al-Qaeda inAfghanistan.
The alliance also pledged that the improvements to the Afghan forces willbolster their ability to combat terrorist groups that pose a threat toeveryone.
Role of regional actors and Pakistan
The NATO declaration stated that regional actors and Pakistan have asignificant role to play in Afghanistan achieving peace.
“Regional actors have a significant role to play in achieving peace andstabilization in Afghanistan by fully supporting a negotiated politicalsolution, by not lending any form of support to the insurgency, byimproving conditions for Afghan economic development, and by working withthe Afghan government to combat terrorism.
“We encourage Pakistan to continue to act on its stated support for apolitical solution to the conflict, to close terrorist sanctuaries and towork to prevent terrorist financial flows and cross-border attacks,including by working with its neighbors. In this regard, we welcome thefinalization of the Afghanistan-Pakistan Action Plan for Peace andSolidarity,” said NATO.