BRUSSELS – The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) reaffirmed fullsupport to Afghanistan including Afghan government’s recent peace offer toTaliban group.

The alliance issued a statement following the Foreign Ministerial meetingin Brussels, stating that “As the Afghan Government of National Unity takessteps to uphold stability and security, and to promote peace, NATOreaffirms its commitment to the development of the Afghan security anddefence forces through a conditions-based approach for our Resolute SupportMission. We recognise and highly appreciate the essential contributionsthat the men and women in uniform from Allied nations, and from ourResolute Support Mission (RSM) operational partners, have provided overmany years of NATO presence in Afghanistan.”

The statement further adds that “At the second Kabul Conference of 28February, President Ashraf Ghani took a decisive step toward Afghanreconciliation by proposing peace talks between the Government of NationalUnity and the Taliban, without preconditions. NATO Allies are united intheir support for this proposal of an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned process.We will respect and support a negotiated political settlement led by theAfghan Government which ends violence, cuts ties to terrorism and protectsthe human rights of all Afghan citizens. We also support the AfghanGovernment’s intention to address all contested issues between the parties,including those relating to the future role of the international communityin Afghanistan.”

The NATO Foreign Ministers also urge the Taliban to respond favourably tothis opportunity and participate in an Afghan-owned and Afghan-led peaceprocess, emphasizing that the responsibility to bring an end to a long eraof conflict is now in the Taliban’s hands.

The statement also added that the alliance welcome the support for thisproposal that was provided by countries within the region at the 27 MarchTashkent Conference on Afghanistan.

“Regional actors have a significant role to play in support of peace andstabilization in Afghanistan.

Pakistan facilitates important logistical supply lines for the ResoluteSupport Mission. We believe Pakistan’s role will be important to a peaceprocess, including in encouraging the Taliban to change their calculus.”