(MENAFN- The Peninsula) Several countries across the world have praised the progress made in the agreement between the Afghan government and the Taliban. Along with Qatar, countries including The United States, Germany, Indonesia, Norway, and Uzbekistan yesterday welcomed the announcements by the negotiating sides that they have adopted the rules of procedures and moved to discuss the draft agenda. North Atlantic Treaty Organization (Nato) also welcomed the announcement. The US welcomed the agreement announced by the Afghan negotiators in Doha, expressing gratitude to the State of Qatar for its role as a host and facilitator of the Afghan peace talks. Rapid progress on a political roadmap and a ceasefire is what the people of Afghanistan want more than anything else, the US Department of State said. This agreement is a major milestone in the Afghanistan Peace Negotiations that have been underway since September 12, the State Department added. It also said that the agreement codifies the rules and procedures the two sides have been negotiating since the start of talks, adding that the teams made a number of important decisions that will guide their negotiations on a political roadmap and a comprehensive ceasefire.
The US Department of State congratulated both sides on their perseverance and willingness to find common ground, noting that this achievement demonstrates that the Afghan Islamic Republic and Taliban are serious, able to overcome differences, and ready to deal with difficult issues. What has been achieved provides hope the two sides will succeed in reaching a political settlement to this more than forty-year-old conflict, the State Department said, adding that the US will continue to support the peace process and work with all sides in pursuit of a serious reduction of violence and ceasefire. Germany, Indonesia, Norway and Uzbekistan also praised Qatar's key role in hosting and facilitating this phase of negotiations and this important breakthrough.
A joint statement issued by the countries said that the achievement was an important step in a process that must have at its endpoint a durable and inclusive peace settlement in Afghanistan. The countries encouraged both sides to build on the important milestone that was achieved yesterday by continuing to engage with each other in good faith, constructively and ready to find common ground. They also urged both sides to give priority to ending violence. The Secretary-General of Nato, Jens Stoltenberg, welcomed the progress made in the agreement between the Afghan government and the Taliban.
He said that the agreement is one step towards a lasting, political and peaceful resolution of the conflict in Afghanistan. In a press statement, the Secretary-General stressed that all Nato allies strongly support the peace process, adding 'now we would like to see more progress and we need to see rapid progress, both on establishing a political roadmap, but not least on the important issue of a comprehensive ceasefire. The Secretary-General of Nato, Jens Stoltenberg, pointed out that the agreement which was announced demonstrates that the parties who are negotiating, are able to make progress, even on tough and difficult issues, stressing that this is important because Afghans want peace. It is still a long way to go, many hurdles to be overcome, but this is an important first step and it is encouraging to see that it was possible to make that step today, he added. Qatar hosted the intraAfghan peace negotiations on September 12, in a step that was described as serious and important towards establishing sustainable peace in Afghanistan, especially after the United States and the Taliban signed the Agreement for Bringing Peace to Afghanistan at the beginning of this year
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