Monday May 25, 2020
Kabul (BNA) Qatar, Germany, Indonesia, Norway and Uzbekistan have announced that they “warmly welcome” the announcement by the Afghan government and the Taliban of a ceasefire during the blessed Eid al-Fitr, the official Qatar News Agency reports.
They wish all Afghans a joyful and blessed Eid.
In a joint statement, the five countries said the ceasefire is a positive step forward that gives cause for hope. The Afghan people deserve an end to violence as well as a dignified peace and stability, the statement noted.
It added that the five countries encourage the parties to take further steps in the days and weeks ahead in order to enter into, without delay, intra-Afghan negotiations aimed at securing a durable peace settlement that ends the conflict in Afghanistan.
Recalling the appeal of United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres for a global ceasefire amid the Covid-19 pandemic, the five countries have urged for a permanent and comprehensive reduction in violence so as to bring lasting relief to the Afghan population. “In this connection, we also encourage the taking of necessary measures to protect vulnerable groups and individuals, including prisoners, from the pandemic,” they added.
“As like-minded countries resolved to co-operate in our support for an inclusive peace process in Afghanistan, we stand ready to assist the process in any way the parties may wish,” the statement further stressed.
Concluding their statement, the five countries said “we take this opportunity to recognise and commend the long-standing efforts of all relevant parties, including those of Qatar and the United States, in supporting the peace process in Afghanistan”.
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