3-day meet on Afghan conflict ends with call to accelerate peace process

Ashraf Siddiqui Doha A three-day international meeting on Afghan conflict hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Qatar concluded on Thursday with a n...

Ashraf SiddiquiDohaA three-day international meeting on Afghan conflict hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Qatar concluded on Thursday with a nine-point declaration, particularly with an agreement to accelerate the peace process in Afghanistan.The declaration was reached after extensive interactive discussions between the participating countries and institutions with the Afghan government and Afghan Taliban delegations.At the invitation of the Government of Qatar, special envoys and representatives from China, Uzbekistan, the United States, Pakistan, the United Kingdom, Qatar, the United Nations and the European Union met in Doha on August 10.The meeting was also attended by special envoys and representatives of Germany, India, Norway, Qatar, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, the United States and the United Nations on August 12 to assess the status of intra-Afghan negotiations; exchange views with the two negotiating teams on the current challenges and opportunities; and reflect on the contributions the international community can make to the success of the peace process. At the end of the meetings, the Chair issued the following statement:1. Participants agreed that the peace process needs to be accelerated as a matter of great urgency on the basis of the negotiations of concrete proposals from both sides.2. Participants urged both sides to take steps to build trust and accelerate efforts to reach a political settlement and comprehensive ceasefire as quickly as possible.3. Participants called for a stop to violence and attacks immediately in and against provincial capitals and other cities.4. Participants took note of converging statements of both sides on the following guiding principles for a political settlement: (a) inclusive governance; (b) respect for human rights, including the rights of women and minorities; (c) a mechanism to deliver a representative government; (d) a commitment not allow any individuals or groups to use the soil of Afghanistan to threaten the security of other countries; and (e) respect for international law, including international humanitarian law.5. Participants called on all Afghan sides to act in accordance with these principles and build on them in the future political settlement.6. Participants raised grave concerns about reports from across Afghanistan with respect to continued violence, large numbers of civilian casualties and extra-judicial killings, widespread and credible allegations of human rights violations, all attacks (ground and air) against provincial capitals and cities, and the destruction of physical infrastructure that perpetuate conflict and make reconciliation efforts more difficult. 7. Participants reaffirmed that they will not recognise any government in Afghanistan that is imposed through the use of military force.8. Participants committed to assisting in the reconstruction of Afghanistan once a viable political settlement is reached following good faith negotiations between the two sides.9. Participants express full support and gratitude to Qatar and its efforts in this regards.Talking to Qatar Tribune after the closing session on Thursday, Molvi Abdul Salam Hanafi, leader of the Taliban delegation, expressed his satisfaction on the meetings, describing it as “extremely successful”.He said that Taliban got an opportunity to express their point of view to such a large number of participating countries for which he is grateful to the organisers for providing the opportunity. He said the Taliban believes that the only solution to the Afghan conflict is through discussions and dialogue between the stakeholders.Talking on the ground successes of Taliban forces, Molvi Shams Ul Islam Hanafi, deputy head of Political Affairs, Doha Office, said that no Afghan with integrity can accept foreign occupation of its soil. The last day of the meetings started with the discussions among US Representative for Afghan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad; UN Secretary-General’s Representative on Afghanistan Jean Arnald; European Union Special Representative for Afghanistan Tomas Niklesson; Director-General of South Asia Desk at the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Hakan Tekin; J.P. Singh from the Ministry of External Affairs of India; HE Khisrav Sohib Zoda, Ambassador of Tajikistan to Qatar and Turkministan Deputy Foreign Minister and special envoy for Afghanistan.