NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said in a press conference on Monday (1 April) that the Afghan government must be part of the reconciliation process.

Stoltenberg said that “there can be no lasting peace in Afghanistan without Afghan reconciliation, and the Afghan government has to be part of that.”

NATO chief added that the organization’s foreign ministers will discuss the United States efforts to reach a political settlement in Afghanistan when they meet in Washington this week.

He went on to say: The alliance had not made any decisions on their future role in Afghanistan as it would depend on the outcome of the peace process. NATO remains committed to its mission in Afghanistan, adding the best way to reach a peaceful negotiated solution is to send a message to the Taliban that they will not win on the battlefield.

 Stoltenberg, however, noted that NATO doesn’t want to stay in Afghanistan longer than necessary.

Arezo news website – Humayun Salimi