Countries-participants of the expanded "troika" (Russia, China, Pakistan, the United States) for a settlement in Afghanistan adopted a joint statement after a meeting in Moscow. The document was distributed among journalists after the consultations.
Participants in the meeting noted that they recognized the sincere demand of the Afghan people for lasting and just peace and an end to the war. In this regard, the parties reaffirmed that lasting peace can only be achieved through a negotiated political settlement.
"We call on all the conflicting sides in Afghanistan to reduce the level of violence in the country and the Taliban to refrain from the "spring offensive" in order to avoid further victims and to create conditions for achieving a political settlement through negotiations", the document says.
The expanded "troika" also called on the negotiating parties to immediately begin discussing fundamental issues, including "creating the conditions for a future peaceful and stable Afghan state, the content of a political roadmap that would lead to the formation of an inclusive government, and how to conclude a permanent and comprehensive ceasefire agreement." "At this crucial time, our four nations call on the parties to begin negotiations and conclude a peace agreement that will end more than four decades of war in Afghanistan," the document stresses.
"As stated in UN Security Council Resolution 2513 of 2020, we do not support the restoration of the Islamic Emirate and call on the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and the Supreme National Reconciliation Council to openly engage with Taliban partners to reach a negotiated solution," the joint statement said.
Aid to Afghanistan
The statement from the parties focuses on security and aid to Afghanistan. "We call on all Afghans, including the government of the Islamic Republic and the Taliban, to ensure that terrorist groups and individuals do not use Afghan territory to threaten the security of other countries," the meeting participants said.
The "expanded" troika said any peace treaty must include provisions to protect the rights of all Afghans, including women, men, children, war victims and minorities, and must meet the aspirations of all Afghans for economic, social and political development.
"We call on all countries concerned to support the Afghan people and to help build a lasting peace for all. We reaffirm our commitment to mobilizing international political and economic support for Afghanistan in the post-political settlement period," the document stresses.
International efforts
The Russian Federation, the US, China, and Pakistan commended Qatar for its assistance in promoting a peaceful settlement and expressed support for continued discussions between the parties to the Doha talks, which first took place in September 2020 and resulted in significant progress.
"We appreciate and welcome all efforts by the international community to facilitate and support an early negotiated settlement. We have noted the appointment by UN Secretary-General Guterres of Mr. Jean Arnault as Special Envoy for Afghanistan and Regional Affairs. We welcome the positive and constructive role of the UN in Afghanistan's peace and reconciliation process," the statement said.
The meeting of the enlarged "troika" on the peace settlement in Afghanistan at the level of special envoys was held in Moscow on Thursday. The meeting was attended by representatives of the Afghan authorities and the Taliban, as well as representatives of Qatar and Turkey.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Press Service of the Russian Foreign Ministry / TASS
Based on materials TASS