"We call on the Taliban to end their military offensive, and on both the Islamic Republic and the Taliban to engage meaningfully in the peace process," said the joint communiqué, issued by the United States, European Union, France, Germany, Italy, Norway, the United Kingdom and NATO.
Moreover, the US, European Union, NATO and several European states said in a joint statement that they welcome the group's commitments and openness to negotiating with Kabul as a mechanism for a representative government in Afghanistan.
"We welcome in particular the commitments made by the Taliban yesterday to inclusive governance, respecting human rights, including the rights of women and minorities, to abide by international law, including international humanitarian law, and to upholding counter-terrorism commitments."The US and its European partners also welcome the Taliban's openness to negotiate a mechanism for a representative government with the Afghan government's negotiation team, the communique said.
The communique signatories also acknowledged in a joint statement that achieving a final settlement in Afghanistan will take time, but called on the Taliban and the Afghan government to engage in meaningful negotiations:
"We acknowledge that reaching a final political settlement, including on the Constitution, will likely take time. We urge the two sides to agree on a permanent and comprehensive ceasefire and on foundational principles for the future Afghan State and details of transitional governing arrangements until a final political settlement is reached."As the international coalition's soldiers and US troops, in particular, leave Afghanistan, the country is experiencing an uptick in violence. Since then, the Taliban has launched an offensive and taken control of significant portions of the country's land.
Zabiullah Mujahid, a Taliban representative, claimed to Sputnik on Thursday that the movement now controls almost 90% of Afghanistan's border. However, Fawad Aman, a spokesman for the Afghan Defense Ministry, has dismissed the Taliban's assertion that they control 90% of Afghanistan's borders as an "absolute lie" and "baseless propaganda".
Their many vassals trotted behind Uncle Shmuel, throwing away many young lives in this historically proven "graveyard of Empires".
The mad US had enticed the USSR into invading Afghanistan, bankrupting & destroying this sorry excuse for a Communist Empire. Que????
20 years ago the Taliban were completely dismayed & demoralised by US airpower, & more than keen to surrender.
The arrogant Yankers would have none of it: they were there for the long haul, the Heroin, to attack the youth of the whole world, minerals & a forward base to attack Russia.
20 years on, & the Yankers & poodles are begging the Taliban to negotiate.
Interesting times, EH?
Book: No Good Men Among The Living, by Anand Gopal.
Book: The Lost Hegemon, by F. William Engdahl.